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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R)

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HEALTH CARE AND TAX RELIEF BILLS APPROVED IN MINNESOTA HOUSE

Friday, January 20, 2017

A proposal that provides health insurance premium relief and reform has been approved in the Minnesota House.

 

The Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill provides a one-time appropriation of $300 million from budget reserves to provide eligible residents with some assistance for their health insurance premiums and contains an initiative that provides continuity of care in severe cases.

 

A number of reforms included will prevent double dipping, prohibit surprise billing, and allow for-profit HMO’s to operate in Minnesota in order to increase options and likely drive down costs.

 

It’s worth noting that the goal of this bill is to address the immediate problems being faced by Minnesotans. There will be more initiatives unveiled addressing our long term health care issues in the coming weeks.

 

The Senate has approved similar legislation, so I expect a joint House/Senate conference committee to be called to create a bill that can be approved by both legislative bodies.

 

Nearly $21.7 million in immediate tax relief has also become law thanks to quick action by the Minnesota House and Senate. Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation that conforms state tax provisions to those approved by the federal government. Doing so allows many Minnesotans to keep more of what they earn, and because we acted on this bill with a sense of urgency, many residents will avoid filing amended returns this tax season.

 

As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.

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