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

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Capitol Newsletter

Friday, January 12, 2018

Greetings,

Happy 2018! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season spent with friends and family and that the New Year is off to a great start. The 2018 legislative session is set to begin on February 20th and I look forward to continue representing you and your family in St. Paul.

New Laws Taking Effect

On January 1st, a number of new laws took effect here in Minnesota. These new laws include uniform election dates, license plate changes, and laws that make it easier for patients to refill their prescription eye drops and allow home health care workers to count training for those who are hard of hearing towards their annual training requirements.

For a full list of bills that became law this past year click here.

Agricultural Co-Ops

More than 1,700 Minnesotans are taking advantage of new agricultural co-op health insurance options less than one year after they were first authorized by the Legislature.

The Star Tribune reported this week that 40 Square cooperative saw more than 1,000 enrollments, with an additional 700 enrollments for a new agriculture co-op health plan offered by Land O'Lakes. The 1,700 signups in year one easily outpaced enrollment for the first three years of MNsure's now-defunct Small Business Health Options (SHOP) program, an exchange for Minnesota businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The agriculture co-ops have no cost to taxpayers, while MNsure cost taxpayers more than $400 million to build and $45 million per year to operate.

The new co-ops were created as part of last January’s health insurance premium relief bill.  

Contact Me

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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.

Sincerely,

John