Report: Quality of health care for people on public assistance lags

Health care quality for people enrolled in Minnesota public assistance health care programs continued to lag behind Minnesotans with private health insurance last year, according to a new report.

But there were significant improvements in managing diabetes and vascular diseases.

The report for the Minnesota Department of Human Services is based on 12 quality measures. Results for people enrolled in public health programs were significantly lower than the broader population in 10 of the twelve categories. The biggest gaps involved colorectal and breast cancer screening and adult asthma care.

But care for people with vascular diseases improved 8.5 percent compared to 2013. Diabetes care was 6.7 percent better.

Minnesota Community Measurement conducted the study. DHS commissioner Lucinda Jesson says significant work remains to close the quality gap.