Dear Friends,
With the start of 2016 I’d like to give you a brief update on the MNSure situation.
A week ago, MNSure announced that 67,680 people had enrolled in private plans through the state exchange. Though this is an increase in enrollment numbers compared to last year, MNSure officials have consistently lowered their enrollment goals to cover up their inability to meet their initial projections. Back in 2013, when MNSure was initially passed by the DFL and Governor Dayton, the 2016 projected enrollment in private plans was between 254,000-450,000. The projection for 2016 was conveniently lowered to 83,000 once it became clear that actual numbers would be drastically less than their initial estimates. This is yet another illustration of the lengths that MNSure officials will go to, rather than admit that the MNSure exchange is not financially viable in the long-term.
These enrollment numbers are very important because each enrollee pays a tax on their insurance premium to fund the expenses of the MNSure bureaucracy and website necessary to the long term viability of MNSure. Low enrollment means that more and more your state tax dollars will be needed to prop up MNSure instead of being used for roads and bridges, K-12 education, higher education, and other necessary functions of government.
In addition, I’m sure most of you will have heard deductibles have also increased dramatically, coupled with a huge rise in premiums. With new, higher rates going into effect this month, some families are now paying well over $1,000 when they had been paying somewhere in the $400-$500 prior to MNSure and the so-called Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare.
We have also been told by state officials that 6,100 people enrolled in Minnesota Care mistakenly received cut-off notices, in spite of submitting the required paperwork by the deadline. Despite the fact that these people will receive retroactive coverage, it's clear that DHS and MNsure still are not close to having their technical systems fixed. These glitches are resulting in more headaches and anxiety for families, some of whom had to cancel doctor's appointments as a result of these notices.
We are looking at ways to work within federal guidelines to mitigate the harm of MNSure, but ultimately the Affordable Care Act will need to be repealed by the federal government before this damage can be undone.
I will keep you updated as this situation progresses. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Have a great rest of the week,
Glenn