Rep. Diane Loeffler
STATEMENT
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 60A 651-296-4219 – rep.diane.loeffler@house.mn
349 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Daniel Borgertpoepping, 651-296-9873
January 26, 2017
Loeffler concerned with market implications in relief bill
Saint Paul, Minn. — After the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the health insurance premium relief bill Thursday, Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL – Minneapolis) released the following statement:
“I am pleased that there is going to be premium assistance for the 125,000 people without employer health coverage. But I’m dismayed that Republicans are putting untested changes with insufficient analysis into a volatile market and hoping for the best. That is not good governance and we must not gamble when it comes to the health insurance markets that serve millions of us.
It puts our care at greater risk now that for-profit companies will be allowed to offer broad coverage for the first time in Minnesota. National studies show non-profit health plans produce better outcomes. We don’t need more care denials in order to carve out greater profits for owners and CEOs. Another provision in the legislation may destabilize the health insurance market that serves small businesses and their employees.
The premium assistance is the same as proposed by Gov. Dayton in October. Holding that relief hostage for months as leverage to push through risky changes to the insurance market we all depend on was unconscionable. Passing it five days before the deadline for purchase of 2017 policies (effective in March) put too many Minnesotans’ health and budgets at great risk. I’m glad the public joined me in opposing the proposal for limited coverage policies and that the conference committee has retained our current law that offers all people comprehensive coverage.
We can do better to thoughtfully address the challenges of a changing health insurance climate and I plan to continue to be engaged in those efforts.”
Rep. Diane Loeffler can be reached by phone at 651-296-4219 or by email at rep.diane.loeffler@house.mn.
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