ST. PAUL – Legislation that provides health insurance premium relief to impacted Minnesotans and improves access and increases options in the health insurance marketplace has become state law.
State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) supported this compromise proposal crafted by Minnesota House and Senate negotiators.
“More people will have the opportunity to get more affordable health care coverage under this bill,” Rarick said.
The legislation will allocate more than $300 million to provide premium relief and ensure continuity of care for people who were receiving treatment from a physician but lost that ability when they were forced to switch insurance plans.
Other reforms included will allow more HMO’s to operate in Minnesota, provide an audit to determine how the plan is working, and institute agricultural cooperative health plans, allowing organizations with member owners – such as farm cooperatives – to provide health insurance to their members.
“I’m very pleased we were able to tackle this short term problem within the first month of the 2017 session, and now we can focus on long-term affordable health care solutions,” Rarick said.