Department of Human Services officials began their presentation on Gov. Tim Walz’s 2020-21 biennial budget before the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee Thursday.
The budget calls for $274 million in Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 to support provisions intended to improve access to services and reduce disparities.
The budget, which represents a 0.68 percent increase from the base, is “not just a fiscal document,” but also “a moral document,” Commissioner Tony Lourey said.
“We at DHS are proud to be a part of making this happen,” he said
The budget would spend:
ONECare MN would create a comprehensive health coverage option available in the individual market as a platinum-level “Buy-in” product starting in 2023. It would also give access to silver- and gold-level products for regions without affordable and comprehensive health care options offered by the market, Lourey said.
The budget would dedicate $3.4 million for this program in the upcoming biennium, along with an additional $575,000 for a pharmacy coverage component and $55,000 for a dental benefits provision, according to the presentation.
ONECare MN is slated to cost $142.5 million in the 2022-23 biennium, with an additional $11 million for pharmacy and $13.3 million for dental.
After an initial start-up period, ONECare MN is expected to “pay for itself,” Lourey said.
The budget also calls for the repeal of a sunset on the 2 percent “provider tax” that impacts hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, health care providers, and wholesale drug distributors to ensure “long-term funding” for Medicaid and MinnesotaCare, Lourey said.
Other budget provisions discussed Thursday include: