Center for Health Care Affordability
Announcements
Information related to the Center for Health Care Affordability (the Center) will be shared in this space, through GovDelivery bulletins and, as appropriate, via State Register announcements. Information will include updates on implementation, publications, and opportunities for public feedback.
Signup for the Center for Health Care Affordability email subscription list to stay updated on opportunities to:
- Attend public forums and engagement events hosted by the Center.
- Receive updates on the Center’s work.
Request for Proposals
August 25, 2026
MDH is seeking proposals to develop healthcare affordability standards – shared targets for measuring healthcare spending at the statewide and household levels – and to measure and report Minnesota's performance against them. The selected respondent will work with the Center for Health Care Affordability, the Health Care Affordability Advisory Task Force, and a technical panel of health economics experts. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to complete proposed projects and evidence of experience in the proposed subject matter.
Contract application forms and guidelines
- SWIFT Event ID: 2000018587
- RFP: Development of Healthcare Affordability Standards (PDF)
- Applications should be submitted through the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal
- RFP Questions Due: August 31, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Central Time
- Applications Due: September 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time
For more information, please contact: Health.affordability@state.mn.us
Statement of Healthcare Affordability Priorities
July 20, 2026
The Health Care Affordability Advisory Task Force released a statement of healthcare affordability priorities to the Commissioner of Health. The statement describes a shared healthcare affordability goal, directional priorities for policy development and recommendations, and requested areas of support from the Center for Health Care Affordability.
Read the full statement: Statement of Healthcare Affordability Priorities 2026 (PDF)
Community Conversation on Health Care Affordability Priorities in Minnesota
June 10, 2026
The Center for Health Care Affordability held a second community conversation with patient and consumer advocates on May 20th. Over 50 attendees joined the virtual meeting, learning about and engaging in discussion on the Health Care Affordability Advisory Task Force’s initial priority topic areas for further research to make health care more affordable for Minnesotans.
The following materials from the Community Conversation are available:
- Summary: Insights from the May 20, 2026 Community Conversation with the Center for Health Care Affordability (PDF)
- Slides: May 20 Community Conversation Presentation (PDF)
Legislative Report
March 17, 2026
The Center for Health Care Affordability released its first legislative report. The report shares early insights on Minnesota’s health care affordability challenges, summarizes the Center’s work to date, and outlines priorities for 2026.
Read the full report: Center for Health Care Affordability Inaugural Legislative Report 2025 (PDF)
The Center’s First Community Conversation
December 9, 2025
The Center for Health Care Affordability held its first community conversation with patient and consumer advocates on November 20 at the Wilder Foundation. Over 30 participants joined in discussion about opportunities for potential partnership to make health care more affordable for families, workers, and employers.
Please visit Insights from the First Community Conversation with the Center for Health Care Affordability (PDF) for a summary of the meeting.
Apply to Join the Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force by Nov. 14
The Center for Health Care Affordability is seeking applications for the Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force, which will convene starting in January 2026. This group will bring together health care providers, insurers, and other health care leaders to ensure the Center for Health Care Affordability’s recommendations reflect on-the-ground expertise and real-word implementation considerations.
Learn more and apply at Board/Commission: Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force.
Meet the Center for Health Care Affordability Director Alex Caldwell
Alex Caldwell was named as the inaugural director of the Center for Health Care Affordability in January of 2025. She comes to The Center after serving as an associate director at FSG, a global nonprofit consulting firm that partners with foundations and corporations to create equitable systems change.
As director, Caldwell will lead The Center’s efforts to develop a holistic understanding of the key drivers of health care costs in Minnesota, engage the public on the impact of rising health care costs, develop related research priorities and propose data-driven policy solutions.
Caldwell brings a history of engaging stakeholders and successfully implementing diverse approaches to reach strategic goals to The Center. During her tenure at FSG, she leveraged her expertise in behavioral health, children and youth as well as health equity to craft strategies that created lasting, meaningful social impact in partnership with community leaders. These efforts included creating an impact measurement approach for a large U.S.-based clinical professional organization, refining strategic grantmaking plans for the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and helping develop strategic priorities and implementation plans for the Headwaters Foundation.
Prior to joining FSG, Caldwell led teams of researchers and consultants at the Colorado Health Institute (CHI), a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and consulting firm in Denver. At CHI, she conducted needs assessments, strategic planning processes and evaluations in close partnership with government, philanthropic and community leaders.
Caldwell earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Dickenson College and a Master of Public Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.