Dear Friends and Neighbors,
For Minnesotans struggling under increasingly unaffordable insurance premiums, I have some great news.
On Thursday, the House and Senate both repassed The 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access Act which provides premium relief to thousands of Minnesotans, preserves continuity of care for people receiving life-saving treatments, and begins reforming our broken individual health care market. Governor Dayton signed the bill into law.
First, Senate File 1 will take $312 million from the budget reserves and provide a 25 percent premium reduction to thousands of eligible Minnesotans for every month of coverage in 2017. Rebates will be administered through insurance companies. Furthermore, unlike the original plan put forward by Governor Dayton, this plan puts in place additional data privacy protections and program integrity measures to ensure residency in Minnesota. Additionally, the non-partisan Office of the Legislative Auditor is empowered to recover any funds not spent according to program requirements.
In addition, House Republicans advocated strongly for continuity of care to be funded, helping people with serious health or medical conditions extend their coverage and keep access to their doctor for up to 120 days.
Third, with premiums rising year after year, we know that simply providing a one-time premium relief check is only a Band-Aid that will not address the flaws and failures of our current insurance system under Obamacare and MNsure. SF 1 includes several reforms to address our state’s health care crisis including allowing for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota to increase options and competition in the market; providing greater transparency for proposed premium hikes so consumers aren’t blindsided again by skyrocketing costs; prohibiting surprise billing to protect consumers; and helping more employers contribute to or offer affordable health coverage for their employees.
While there is still more work to be done, I am pleased that we were able to move on two key priorities in the first month of session: providing premium relief and health care reform, and passing federal tax conformity.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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