Dear Neighbors,
We are now in our second week of the 2017 legislative session. Last week I took the oath of office with my colleagues on the House floor. It is an extraordinary privilege to continue serving my Minneapolis neighbors, and I’m honored and humbled by the trust placed in me to keep fighting for children, families, seniors, students and veterans in our community. Legislative work is well underway, and we have already had the opportunity to pass a tax conformity bill and begin urgent work on a relief package for Minnesotans on the private health insurance market.
TAX BILL PASSES – TAX FILING HELP ON THE WAY
The first bill before the House passed unanimously last Thursday. The Tax Conformity bill matches Minnesota’s income tax laws with new breaks passed by the federal government and will benefit 178,000 Minnesotans. Passing tax conformity early will enable tax forms and computer programs to be up to date when you file your 2016 taxes and help Minnesotans to maximize their refunds.
PROVIDING RELIEF FOR HIGH INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Rates for Minnesotans buying health insurance for 2017 on their own without an employer plan have jumped dramatically – as much as 60%. We need to provide immediate relief to these families.
I support the Governor’s proposal to provide a 25% rebate to 125,000 Minnesotans. With the insurance enrollment deadline of January 31, families need to know costs now so they can weigh their options.
Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced separate proposals that include significant long-term changes. Instead of rushing through major reforms that need input from the public and industry leaders, we should focus on providing immediate relief to Minnesotans. Long-term reforms should be thoughtful, not reckless, and Minnesotans need help now.
It is unfair for individuals and families facing high premium rate increases to bear a greater portion of the cost of health insurance due to factors outside their control, such as higher percentages of less healthy people in the individual market, a smaller individual market (resulting in a smaller, more costly risk pool), or Congress' failure to reauthorize the federal reinsurance program (as outlined in the MN Dept. of Commerce Publication, “2017 Health Insurance Rate Summary”, dated September 30, 2016).
You can still get coverage if you’re uninsured. Go to www.MNsure.org to explore your options. Open enrollment for private insurance ends January 31. After that, you can always see if you qualify for MinnesotaCare (our affordable program for modest income workers), Medical Assistance, or private insurance if you’ve had a major life event (lost your job and coverage, marriage, birth or adoption).
STAY IN TOUCH
You can always contact me with questions or concerns at Rep.Susan.Allen@house.mn or 651-296-7152.
For gavel-to-gavel video coverage of the House, here is a list of sources you can follow to stay updated on House committee and floor coverage:
Broadcast television schedule:
www.house.mn/htv/htv.asp
Broadcast television channels:
www.house.mn/htv/channel.pdf
Webcast/mobile streaming schedule:
www.house.mn/htv/schedule.asp
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/MNHouseInfo
Sincerely,
Susan Allen
State Representative – District 62B