Minnesota HealthBasics is inviting Minnesotans to bring their health care policy discussions online. To spark the conversations, HealthBasics is sponsoring original, thought-provoking articles that bring new insights to critical issues facing health care.

This Chamber is a founding partner of HealthBasics. We chose to participate because understanding health care is fundamental to all of our members and HealthBasics is a non-partisan group with no policy agenda. The StarTribune supports our effort calling HealthBasics "a farsighted collaboration of state business, labor and health insurance interests working to better understand Minnesotans' health care values, priorities and knowledge." In addition to us the initiative includes leaders from Medica, the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Building Construction and Trades Council and North Memorial Health Care.

The new online series of commentaries kicked-off last month with the first of a two-part article penned by one of the nation's leading health policy experts, retired Minnesota U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger.  (You can find Sen. Durenberger's first article and future commentaries and news articles by going to www.MnHealthBasics.com and clicking on the "Perspectives" button.)

In the following weeks, new articles will be posted at the HealthBasics website and on the new HealthBasics Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/MnHealthBasics) and Twitter ( @MnHealthBasics) pages.

HealthBasics is seeking diverse opinions and ideas in the articles and the discussions online and in the forums. This Chamber isn't endorsing all the ideas that are brought forward online or in the forums; we are endorsing the importance of people getting involved.  

The HealthBasics website, Facebook and Twitter encourage readers to share their thoughts and ideas on health policy issues, including those raised in the commentaries.

Those interested in submitting an article for the website or having HealthBasics present to their organization should email [email protected].

Thanks to our friends at Cushman and Wakefield for sending out this good news. Minnesota was ranked by Forbes as the fastest growing state for tech jobs in 2015. The Twin Cities metro was also named one of the top 100 metro areas for STEM jobs in an interactive article by Bloomberg Business. These are both great pieces of news for the growing local tech scene.

Congratulations to the MN team that is in the playoff finals for the fourth time in five years. Come cheer them on to another championship. Enjoy 2 for 1 tickets for this Sunday and/or Tuesday games. Click here for ticket information.

My best to you all.

 

The Minnesota Vikings, valued at $1.15 billion, made the Forbes' list of 50 most valuable sports teams in the world. They are tied at 49th place with the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Braves. No other Minnesota sports team made the list.

Vision Loss Resources was recognized by the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities for excellence in service and supporting independence, inclusiveness, and accessible environments and services for individuals with disabilities. The award was presented as part of the City of Minneapolis' celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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