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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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Rep. Paul Thissen responds to report indicating growing number of Minnesotans lack health insurance
State Rep. Paul Thissen responded to a report released today by the Minnesota Department of Health indicating the number of Minnesotans without health insurance jumped from 7.2% in 2007 to 9.1% in 2009. The primary cause of this increase was a decline in employer-sponsored health insurance.
“Minnesotans continue to be hit by the double-whammy of job loss and loss of health care coverage. Thousands more are underemployed, working at part-time jobs that do not include benefits, while others simply cannot afford the high cost of health insurance. This is a trend that must be reversed."
The report indicated that the number of uninsured doubled among those making 300-400% of poverty level.
“The report released today also reveals that this is no longer an issue solely for low-income people, but for middle-income workers, as well. We must continue our efforts to get people back to work, while at the same time step up our efforts to reduce the cost of coverage.
My proposal to extend a state match for the federal extension of the 65% Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) subsidy will be heard on the House floor next week. Swift passage will help alleviate some of the high costs of continuing health care coverage for the unemployed.”
The one positive aspect of the report, according to Thissen, was that the number of uninsured children has not increased, in part because of the work done by the Minnesota State Legislature over recent years.
“One of the initial and most successful health care initiatives we undertook at the state level was to make sure every child was covered by a health insurance plan and could receive the medical care they deserve,” said Thissen. “It’s rewarding to see our efforts insulated Minnesota’s children somewhat from this upward trend in the number of uninsured. We cannot stop working, however, until every Minnesotan has access to affordable and adequate health care coverage.”
The entire report can be found at www.health.state.mn.us/healtheconomics
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