Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dale Lueck (R)

Back to profile

News from the House

Friday, October 6, 2017

Dear Neighbor,

The Minnesota Department of Commerce on Monday released final rates for the 2018 individual insurance market, confirming that legislative directed reforms made earlier this year helped reverse the double-digit premium increases and helped to expand health care choices to Minnesota families – particularly in rural areas.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 20 percent or higher without the reforms. The individual market serves Minnesotans who do not receive health insurance through their employer or the government.

Over the past four years as a result of Obamacare, premium rates have increased annually by double digits, including nearly a 60-percent jump just one year ago.

Despite resistance from Governor Dayton, who refused to sign the reform bill into law but thankfully did not veto it, we are making progress. As part of the reform, providers are now required to offer in-network access to more than one health care provider system in the counties in which they operate.

The recent reforms have steadied the course for the near term, however until the federal government gives Minnesota much more flexibility on dealing with health insurance, we remain on an unsustainable path.

Effective today, the House implemented actions to protect our ability to continue to function on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota. The saga of governor’s line-item veto of the Legislature's operating budget continues to drive us toward a constitutional crisis by eliminating the Legislature’s ability to function. Those actions regarding House members include:

  • No per diem, mileage or business travel expense reimbursement
  • No constituent communication reimbursement
  • No out-of-state travel reimbursement (unless travel was previously approved by Speaker's office)
  • No in district travel reimbursement or committee budget spending

Until this legal matter is resolved, legislators will be traveling at their own expense to conduct constituent services, attend committee hearings in St. Paul and will not be reimbursed for internet and phone services.

These measures are necessary to prevent laying off legislative staff, which provide the core ability to deliver constituent services, as well as prepare laws for introduction, debate and passage by the Minnesota Legislature.

As I have said before, I will continue to work on your behalf despite this direct attack by the governor on the Legislature’s ability to serve those that elected us,

Sincerely,

Dale