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STATEMENT FROM REP. GREEN ON 2018 INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE RATES

Monday, October 2, 2017

 

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Commerce on Monday released final rates for the 2018 individual insurance market, confirming that Republican-led reforms helped reverse the four straight years of double-digit premium increases and helped to expand health care choices to Minnesota families—particularly in rural areas.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 20 percent or higher without Republican reforms. The individual market serves Minnesotans who do not receive health insurance through their employer or the government.

Over the past four years, premium rates increased by double digits every year, including nearly 60 percent just one year ago. As a result of the reinsurance program recently approved by the federal government, all current insurers will continue serving the individual market next year. In addition, Republicans successfully pushed to expand health care options and improve access to hospitals and doctors. As part of the reinsurance legislation, providers are now required to offer in-network access to more than one health care provider system in the counties in which they operate.

Rep. Steve Green, R-Fosston, released the following statement regarding Monday’s rate announcement:

“It was very important that we got something done to spare people from getting crushed by yet another round of health insurance premium increases,” Green said. “That said, the steps that were taken this year are not permanent solutions and additional reforms are needed to fix what remains a broken, unsustainable system. Minnesota was known as a national health care leader before Obamacare was launched in our state and set us back. I will continue working to help regain our state’s status as a leader on this subject instead of just following along.”

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