Minnesota Governor Appoints Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services

According to a recent state news release, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of 11 Minnesotans to serve on the newly created Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services which was established by the 2019 Minnesota State Legislature. “The group will help state leaders craft a vision for long-term systemic reforms and identify near-term strategies to improve health outcomes, increase access, reduce inequities and disparities, find administrative efficiencies, expand program integrity and steward taxpayer dollars.”

“Minnesotans rely on our health and human services programs to live full and productive lives. That is why I am looking to this Blue Ribbon Commission to make recommendations on how to improve outcomes, control costs in the short run and plan for the needs of the future,” Governor Walz said. “With this public private partnership we are relying on lived experience of program participants and expertise of industry members to boost the impact of our work and ensure that our resources are invested wisely.”

The Blue Ribbon Commission was passed into law by the State Legislature and co-chaired by the Commissioners of the Department of Health and Department of Human Services.  The news release further states “The Commission will produce a report by October 2020 that includes recommendations for specific health and human services cost savings. The Governor charged the group to do so in the context of broad, forward-thinking recommendations that will provide program efficiencies and produce healthier and fuller lives for all Minnesotans at a sustainable cost.”