Dayton Names St. Cloud Woman to Health Care Task Force

ST. PAUL (AP) - A new task force is being deployed to examine an old dilemma: How to hold down costs while improving access to health coverage in Minnesota.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday issued an executive order establishing a health care task force, filled out with some of his cabinet members, academics and others. The task force was designated by a law approved earlier.

The Democratic governor wants the group to come up with an action plan for policy changes aimed at curbing climbing health costs, improving disease prevention and cutting down on health disparities.

The task force will be led by Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. Ralonda Mason from St. Cloud Area Legal Services is also on the task force.

A second task force will look at health insurance issues. It will be led by Dayton's Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman.