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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL)

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Legislative Update: Increasing Access to Affordable Health Care

Friday, September 13, 2013

Dear neighbors,

In a couple short weeks, Minnesotans will be able to sign up for high-quality, affordable health care through MNsure, our state’s new health insurance exchange.

This past legislative session, I proudly voted in support of creating the new insurance marketplace because it is built around the unique needs of our state and allows us to improve upon our existing health care system, which is considered one of the best in the entire country.

MNsure is an important component of the Affordable Care Act. It brings down costs by increasing competition among private insurance companies and by providing financial assistance to middle- and low-income Minnesotans. In addition, families and individuals will no longer face discrimination due to pre-existing conditions and insurance companies will not be able to cap the care you receive.

This is a big step forward towards increasing access to affordable health care that every Minnesotan can be proud of.

In order to make sure Minnesotans know about the new insurance exchange, MNsure is awarding grants to community groups that will help make sure uninsured and underinsured individuals and families know how to obtain affordable coverage through the exchange.

Recently, we learned that several organizations serving the African-American community, which includes a disproportionate number of uninsured individuals, did not receive outreach grants after completing the application process. In response, community members came together and made their voices heard on this issue. I was proud to work with House Leadership and Governor Dayton to inform the MNsure team about the important role these organizations can play in reducing health disparities in the African-American community.

MNsure staff listened to this important feedback and expanded funding for grants, increasing the likelihood of improved outreach to the African-American community. I was glad to see this happen and I believe it shows how people can make a difference when they speak up and get engaged.

I’m hopeful that the end result means an even better, stronger outreach system to make sure every Minnesotan can obtain high-quality, affordable health care.

If you have any questions about MNsure, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-8659, by email at rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn, or by postal mail at 423 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.

Sincerely,
 

Raymond Dehn
State Representative, District 59B