MAPLE LAKE, MINN— On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce revealed final MNsure rates will increase 50 percent or more, on top of the increases of up to 17 percent and 49 percent Minnesotans have faced over the past two years.
Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Commerce approved enrollment caps that will limit Minnesotans' access to federal financial assistance and their ability to find health care coverage. Enrollment caps limit the number of new enrollees for certain insurers who sell insurance on the individual market. Due to MNsure's inability to accurately process applications in a timely manner, Minnesotans who attempt to enroll through MNsure could be left without coverage through no fault of their own. Those who enroll directly with an insurer typically receive confirmation of coverage immediately.
“As Minnesotans face another year of unaffordable rate hikes, when will Obamacare supporters finally admit enough is enough? House Republicans put forward a number of commonsense reforms over the past two years to save families money and address our failing health care exchange, MNsure,” said Rep. Marion O’Neill (R-Maple Lake). “Now it’s time for the governor and his party to come to the table and work with us to craft meaningful solutions to improve choices in the market and lower the cost of health care. It’s what families in Wright County deserve, and it’s what people across the state deserve from their elected leaders.”
On Friday, Republicans including Rep. O’Neill also sent a letter to Governor Dayton demanding immediate action on a law signed by him in 2015 requiring the Department of Commerce to seek a waiver that would allow Minnesotans to access tax credits off of the MNsure exchange. Over 75 percent of people who buy health insurance on their own do not receive any financial assistance from MNsure, undermining MNsure's claims that tax credits will offset massive rate increases.