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Legislative News and Views - Rep. John Poston (R)

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Capitol Newsletter-Health Insurance Update

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Greetings!

Beginning last Tuesday, I, along with the other members of the House Capital Investment Committee, went on the fourth leg of our infrastructure improvement tour to learn more about potential projects in need of completion in the northeastern portion of the state.

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(Split Rock Lighthouse, Lake Superior)

Some other locations we visited: University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth Port Authority, and Mesabi Community College.

Individual Insurance Rates

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released final rates for the 2018 individual health insurance market, revealing some optimism for those Minnesotans who purchase their health insurance on the individual market. The reforms that were passed during the 2017 Legislative Session have helped end a four year streak of double-digit premium increases, as well as expand health care choices to Minnesota families by improving access to hospitals and doctors. Additionally, these reforms require that all current insurers continue serving the individual market next year and that providers be required to offer in-network access to more than one health care provider system in the counties in which they operate.

Over the past four years, premium rates have increased by double digits annually, including nearly 60% last year. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 20% or more without the reforms passed last session.

In addition, last Friday, Minnesota Management and Budget announced that more than 112,000 Minnesotans have benefited from the premium assistance program that was passed this past session. This program was established to help those Minnesotans who were most negatively affected by skyrocketing insurance costs due to Obamacare.

However, the work is not done and reforming our health insurance system will remain a priority next session.

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If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-4293, or rep.john.poston@house.mn.

Have a great weekend!

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