The legislature finds that substantial numbers of Minnesotans have no health care coverage and that most of these residents are wage earners or their dependents. One-third of these individuals are children.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 62J.01

  • children: includes children by birth or adoption;

    (9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

    (10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

    (11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

    (14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

    (15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

    (16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

    (17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

    (18) "notary" means a notary public;

    (19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

    (20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45

The legislature further finds that when these individuals enter the health care system they have often forgone preventive care and are in need of more expensive treatment that often exceeds their financial resources. Much of the cost for these uncompensated services to the uninsured are already in the health care system in the form of increased insurance and provider rates and property and income taxes.

The legislature further finds that these costs, spread among the already insured, represent a woefully inefficient method for providing basic preventive and acute care for the uninsured and represent an added cost to employers now providing health insurance to their employees.

The legislature further finds that it is necessary to ensure basic and affordable health care to all Minnesotans while addressing the economic pressures on the health care system as a whole in Minnesota.