Talking with Rep. Jerry Hertaus on the floor prior to session.
Dear Neighbors,
Though it was a semi-shorter week with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day, we still accomplished a lot this week. Please see below for some updates.
Premium Relief, Reforms Pass House
Yesterday, the House passed Senate File 1 on a bipartisan vote. Also called The 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill, this legislation provides direct premium relief to thousands of Minnesotans, as well as preserves access to life-saving and end-of-life care.
First, to reach Minnesotans who need financial relief most from out-of-control health care premiums, this bill provides a 25 percent premium reduction for eligible Minnesotans who do not receive federal assistance via MNsure. For individuals to qualify income levels need to be between $35,640 and $95,040, and for families of four income levels would be between $72,900 and $194,400.This would ensure financial relief is reaching those who need it most.
In addition, changes in network due to Obamacare have made it difficult for people to keep their doctors. For those who are in the middle of receiving life-saving cancer treatments, for example, this bill would help them keep access to their doctor for up to 120 days.
Finally, the bill includes a number of key reforms that begin turning around our broken health care system, protect consumers, and improve transparency and competition within the insurance market.
The next step for SF 1 will be a conference committee, where the legislation will be negotiated with the Senate. Then it will need to re-pass in both legislative bodies, after which it goes to Governor Dayton for his signature.
We are working as quickly as possible to get emergency relief to thousands of Minnesotans struggling under the weight of the ACA and premium increases. I will keep you updated on the bill’s progress.
Bill Tracking
Every biennium, thousands of bills are introduced in the Minnesota House and Senate, and it can often be a complicated task tracking legislation.
The House website does an excellent job at listing all legislation, and you can search by bill number, key word, committee, author, or co-author to see what bills are moving through the legislative process. For bills I have co-authored thus far, click here.
Any time you have questions on a bill or input on any piece of policy being debated in the legislature, I welcome you to contact my office.
Staying in Touch
Please know my office is available should you need assistance on a matter of state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn. I also welcome your input and ideas on legislation and matters moving through the Minnesota House. I am here to serve you! Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Abigail