Aligning for Impact: From Vision to Momentum

A 2026 Leadership Series from the MNCM Board Chair & President

One of Minnesota's greatest strengths has always been its willingness to solve difficult problems together.

Across our state's health care community, organizations have consistently demonstrated that collaboration can accomplish what no single organization can achieve alone. As the health care landscape continues to evolve—with growing interoperability requirements, increasing expectations for real-time data exchange, new federal policies, and rising demands for better coordination—the need for trusted, shared infrastructure has never been greater.
 
Earlier this year, MN Community Measurement (MNCM), the Minnesota EHR Consortium (MNEHRC), and Koble jointly convened the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) to explore an important question:

What would it take to build a sustainable, statewide Health Data Utility that serves the public interest while supporting providers, payers, public health, researchers, policymakers, and communities?

The Council was intentionally designed to bring together leaders from across Minnesota's health care ecosystem—not to advocate for a predetermined solution, but to evaluate whether and how a Health Data Utility could address shared challenges through collaborative governance, trusted infrastructure, and a sustainable business model.
 
Over the past several months, Council members have examined governance, interoperability, sustainability, policy, and practical use cases that could improve health care across Minnesota. Rather than beginning with technology, discussions have centered on trust, stewardship, and solving real problems together.

Meaningful Progress

During its June meeting, the Council reached an important milestone. Members reviewed a preliminary market assessment demonstrating strong interest in modernizing Minnesota's health data infrastructure, favorable alignment with emerging national policy, and significant existing assets upon which the state can build. The discussion also reinforced that while technology matters, the greatest work ahead lies in designing governance, sustainability, and participation models that reflect Minnesota's longstanding collaborative values.

Exploring Practical Use Cases

The Council continued evaluating two high-priority use cases: (1) modernizing quality measurement through interoperability and the use of a common data model while reducing administrative burden, and (2) supporting eligibility determination and public program administration through better use of clinical and social needs data. Throughout these discussions, members emphasized that future solutions must be practical, scalable, and accessible for organizations of every size.

Recognizing the Leaders Behind the Work

The strength of the Executive Leadership Council comes from the diversity of perspectives represented around the table. MNCM, MNEHRC, and Koble extend their sincere appreciation to every Council member for contributing their time, expertise, and thoughtful leadership.

Looking Ahead

Following the June meeting, Council members supported advancing the initiative into its next stage of planning. The coming months will focus on development of a comprehensive business plan, governance framework, financial model, technical feasibility assessment, and operating model for review by the Council.

Continuing the Conversation

Over the coming months, the Executive Leadership Council will guide the refinement of a Minnesota Health Data Utility model designed to provide a sustainable, long-term solution for the state.

As the model continues to take shape, the Council will help ensure that it reflects the needs of diverse stakeholders, builds on Minnesota’s existing strengths, and creates meaningful value for providers, payers, public health, researchers, policymakers, and communities.

Throughout this process, MNCM, MNEHRC, and Koble remain committed to an open and transparent planning effort that invites broad stakeholder engagement and reflects Minnesota’s longstanding tradition of collaboration.

The conversations taking place today will help determine how Minnesota collaborates tomorrow—and the momentum built by the Executive Leadership Council demonstrates what is possible when leaders come together in service of a shared vision.

Mark Steffen, MD

Board Chair, MN Community Measurement

Liz Cinqueonce, MBA

President & CEO, MN Community Measurement