Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday, debate on the first of 14 budget bills began in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Much of yesterday’s discussion focused on the Commerce omnibus bill and Democrats’ omitting an important policy item that will directly lead to higher health insurance costs for thousands of Minnesotans.
I spoke about the importance of this program (reinsurance) and how it was needed to save the individual health care market after the devastation caused by Obamacare. You can watch my comments here: https://bit.ly/3wRujwU
If we do not reauthorize this program, health care rates will rise 25-30% or more this year. Two years from now, subsidies will vanish, and Minnesotans will once again be left to pick up the pieces from the devastation Democrats inflicted on the individual market.
From 2014-2016, our individual health insurance market was brought to the brink of collapse due to Obamacare with health plan costs skyrocketing up to 60%, enrollment caps, and many counties left with just a single health plan option.
Now, after raising health care taxes by more than a billion dollars last year, Democrats are pushing to eliminate this successful and bipartisan program.
This is unacceptable and we must do what we can to make sure that health care costs for Minnesotans do not skyrocket this year.
Stay tuned for more updates as the special session progresses in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share your thoughts and concerns. I can be reached at 651-296-4229 or via email at rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn.
Have a great day,
Glenn