Allina, HealthPartners form a 'lab' for health reform

[Star Tribune, November 03, 2011] An unusual partnership in the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities is claiming early progress toward the Holy Grail of health care reform: better treatments, lower costs and more satisfied patients.

In its first year, the joint effort between rival health systems Allina Hospitals & Clinics and HealthPartners was able to shave $6 million from medical costs for patients in Anoka and Sherburne counties, compared with what had been projected. Read the full story online at startribune.com.