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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Roz Peterson (R)

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RELEASE: Rep. Peterson statement on MNsure rates

Friday, September 2, 2016

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.
 
“We have just seen the biggest rate increase in the last three years; if this doesn't convince MNsure advocates that something needs to change, I don't know what will," said Peterson (R-Lakeville). "The cost of insurance continues to rise, making family budgets tighter. This needs to be addressed by the legislature in a meaningful way. I hope reforms will not continue to be met with resistance in the coming session. Minnesotans can't afford this, and deserve better."
 
In 2016, Peterson 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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