ST. PAUL, MN—Health insurance premium rates through the failed $400 million MNsure website have reached historic levels. Preliminary rate increases were released through Healthcare.Gov on Thursday afternoon. Minnesota families and individuals who buy insurance on their own could pay an average increase around 60 percent, the highest average increase of any year since Governor Dayton and Democrats established MNsure.
Premiums in the MNsure exchange have risen in each of the three years new prices have been set, but the current hike is projected to be the largest once updated prices are finalized in the coming weeks.
“These rate increases are another reminder of the failures of MNsure and Obamacare,” said Rep. Zerwas. “When MNsure was created in 2013, Democrats told us that consumers would be treated to more choices with lower costs. Three years later, we now see that neither is true. It’s time to get serious about addressing the problems facing health care in Minnesota. Minnesotans can’t afford double digit rate increases every year. They deserve better. We can do better.”
In 2016, Zerwas voted to reduce the MNsure tax which would have saved families at least $22 million over the next three years. The measure passed the House, but was vocally opposed by Democrat legislators and was not enacted.
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