Greetings from the Capitol!
As I mentioned during the campaign and in previous legislative updates, the elimination of the tax on social security benefits is one of my top priorities. There are at least three bills proposed pertaining to repealing the tax on social security. The legislation I feel that has the best potential to move through the legislative process and be signed into law is a phase out of the tax: either over 5 years, or over 10 years. I expect that one of these bills will be included in the House omnibus tax bill.
Patrick Elmore and Janelle Kelly with the BUILD program at Bethel University were at the Capitol testifying to House File 2401. This bill would provide a grant program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Health Insurance Reform:
This week, the House passed House File 5: The Minnesota Premium Security Plan on a bipartisan vote of 78-53. The goal of this bill is to stabilize premiums by minimizing the impact of high-risk individuals on the individual health insurance market. The program will be administered by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association, which previously ran a high risk pool that brought stability to the individual market and ensured the sickest Minnesotans had access to needed coverage for over 40 years.
With the implementation of Obamacare a few years ago, Minnesota’s individual insurance market became dramatically more expensive and availability became much more restrictive. If House File 5 is signed into law, it is projected to reduce individual market health insurance premiums 17-18%, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
This bill has not yet been signed into law and there is more work left to be done in order to make health insurance affordable and workable for Minnesotans. Going forward, I am hopeful that the federal government gives us favorable national parameters, so we can do all possible to make Minnesota a leader in healthcare once again.
Java with Jessup TOMORROW:
Contact Me:
For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-0141 or rep.randy.jessup@house.mn. Thank you for allowing me to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
