"WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS?"

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch in pose. Source: Star Tribune

The Star Tribune did a fluff story on Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch and his battles against the health care industry.

Representative Fran Bradley provided a critical, yet accurate analysis of Hatch's record:

"But then again, much has stayed the same. Health care costs continue to skyrocket and care issues remain a top priority with the public. And in recent months, Hatch appears to have renewed his onslaught on what he sees as organizations that place profits over patients.

'What accomplishments?' said state Rep. Fran Bradley, R-Rochester, chairman of the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. 'What has been happening with health care costs? Nothing he's done has affected health care cost drivers.'

Bradley and others assert that Hatch goes too far in his oversight and criticism of the nonprofit insurers and care providers, that he is headline-driven and has chosen to battle the big players in health with a view to running for higher office.

'Health care is one of the top attention-getters of voters,' Bradley said. 'It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that.'" Source: Star Tribune, February 20, 2005