Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota releases Trailblazer Tour Stakeholder Engagement Report

Eagan, Minn. (July 27, 2017) - As the nation discusses the future of health care, meaningful progress to improve the lives of Minnesotans is already being made in communities throughout the state. As part of the Trailblazer Tour, a program that recognizes people and organizations for their innovative efforts to move health forward, Blue Cross convened a series of dialogues over the past year with a variety of community leaders representing government, business, education, nonprofits, public health and the health care industry. Blue Cross today publishes a report to summarize the findings of these meetings that will shape continued work in communities and with policymakers for a healthier Minnesota.

"We recognize that health care transformation happens when people and organizations come together in their communities to collaborate on innovative solutions," said Scott Keefer, vice president of public affairs at Blue Cross. "I'd like to thank everyone who took time to share their perspectives – the candid feedback we received will help inform our strategies as we work to improve health care for all Minnesotans."

Four common themes emerged from the stakeholder engagement meetings:

1. Collaboration and integration are key. The health care system needs better collaboration among stakeholders and integration between different sectors, including social services, education, medical care and mental health. 
2. Information must be better, simpler and more accessible. From avoiding lingo to utilizing technology, there is much opportunity to make health care connected and easier to understand.
3. Risk is inherent to innovation. Willingness to invest and a commitment to a test-and-learn mindset are vital. And while investing in pilot programs is important, so is ensuring ongoing funding for programs producing results. When solutions work, fanning the flames of those successes will ensure that programs can be grown or duplicated in other communities.
4. Care needs to be inclusive and personalized. The health care industry needs more providers and other influencers who look like and share similar life experiences with the patients and clients they serve, and a deeper commitment to culturally responsive care.

Blue Cross' "Trailblazer Tour" is part of its ongoing commitment to transform the places in which Minnesotans live, work and play. The stakeholder engagement meetings are designed to bring local leaders together, recognize what's working and talk about tough issues so we can work together to create a future where all Minnesotans have a chance for better health. Blue Cross has conducted five of these meetings since the Trailblazer Tour launched in June 2016, visiting Duluth, Fergus Falls, Mankato, Minneapolis and Rochester.

The full stakeholder engagement report and all 13 trailblazer stories, which include everything from unique workplace clinics to bike-sharing programs to sustainable farming, can be explored in an online hub at bluecrossmn.com/trailblazer. Fans can follow along with the stories of Blue Cross Trailblazers over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and sign up to receive email alerts when new stories are released.