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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Eric Lucero (R)

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Movement Toward Choice in Health Care

Friday, January 20, 2017

Dear Neighbor,

It was a shortened week this week in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday but no less busy.

House Image

Rep. Lucero joins a great group of children, parents, and teachers visiting from Kaleidoscope Charter School
located in Albertville. Free guided tours of the newly restored Capitol building are available to all through the MN Historical Society.

HEALTH CARE PREMIUM RELIEF
The Republican sponsored 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill passed off the House floor Thursday evening by a vote of 73-54. The bill seeks to bring premium relief to Minnesotans in 2017 and reforms to lower costs beginning in 2018. The Republican-led action is an immediate response to the mess created by Gov. Dayton and Minnesota Democrats’ full embrace of Obamacare. Highlights of the bill include:

  • Emergency premium relief to Minnesotans

  • Preserves access to life-saving treatment and end-of-life care for Minnesotans

  • Affordable Option

  • Repeal of forced mandates

One of the amendments added to the bill would repeal the approximate 68 government dictated coverages everybody purchasing health care insurance is likewise forced to purchase such as mandated prostate cancer screenings for women, maternity benefits for seniors, well-child visits for those without children, and family therapy coverage for those who are single. Government forcing the purchase of coverages is partly responsible for the skyrocketing costs of Obamacare/MNsure.

In the bill that passed off the House floor the 68 coverages would still be required to be offered by insurance companies but would instead become optional for purchase by consumers. Minnesotans should NOT be forced to purchase insurance coverage they do not need or want. Consumer choice and empowerment is a one of several free-market provisions included in the bill which will begin to drive down future costs.

I-94 TRANSPORTATION
Last week I chief authored the Corridors of Commerce transportation bill (HF 231) and this week I chief authored a second transportation bill (HF 385) which seeks to fund the three lane expansion of I-94 from Saint Michael to Albertville. Chief authoring both bills is a two-pronged strategy to highlight the transportation needs and secure road and bridges transportation funding to support the continued economic development of our community.

NUCLEAR MORATORIUM REPEAL
This week I chief authored a bill seeking to repeal the Minnesota prohibition on new nuclear power plants (HF 359). The regulatory review process for a new permit takes approximately 15 years, and the current permits for both the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear power plants expire in just over 15 years. Regulatory uncertainty is a job killer and drives up energy prices for all Minnesotans. Now is the time to repeal the moratorium because all options should be available when considering the future of energy in MN. Removing the moratorium would simply allow utilities to at least consider the option.

As always please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you may have that will assist me best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at rep.eric.lucero@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-1534.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton