St. Paul, MN—Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, issued the following statement following the release of the health insurance premium rates for the 2014-2015 open enrollment period. The Department of Commerce announced Wednesday that rates would increase for a majority of consumers on MNsure in all parts of the state, many by double-digit percentages. The lowest-cost option for many men and women using Minnesota's Obamacare exchange is set to increase by more than 20% next year alone.
"Minnesota families are paying the price for the failed leadership of Governor Dayton and Democrats in bringing Obamacare to Minnesota," Gruenhagen said. "Instead of the cost savings that were promised by the creators of MNsure, families are paying more, have fewer choices, and are stuck with the consequences. Between spending $160 million on a website that still doesn't work, families losing plans they liked, and taxpayer-funded bonuses for MNsure executives, it's clear Minnesotans deserve better than the broken promises sold to them by Democrats."
Since the implementation of Obamacare began last year, insurance premium costs are rising faster than ever. According to the
Commonwealth Fund, individual market insurance premiums from 2003-2010 rose a total of 35% in Minnesota. In the first full year of Obamacare in Minnesota, the same rates rose 47% for Minnesotans according to the
Manhattan Institute. For 2014-2015, one of the largest insurers remaining on MNsure is seeing a 17 percent average increase for 2015, meaning thousands of Minnesotans will see higher costs.
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