Bill includes premium relief, preservation of care, reforms to increase competition and choice
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House overwhelmingly approved a package of health insurance relief and reform on Thursday, sending it to the governor for his anticipated approval.
The package (S.F. 1), which passed the Senate earlier in the day, provides a 25-percent premium reduction to Minnesotans who do not qualify for MNsure tax credits on the individual market. It also includes key Republican-led reforms to preserve care for those receiving life-saving treatments and increase competition and consumer choice moving forward.
“This package is the first step to fixing a system that has not serving a number of people in our district very well. We need increased access to health care in Greater Minnesota, not less access at a higher cost,” said Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin. “In addition to premium relief, we preserve access to life-critical treatments and begin to implement the reforms necessary to provide patients, doctors and hospitals with the flexibility necessary to deliver first-rate and reasonably priced health care. This is a big first step, but much remains to be done.”
The bill passed both bodies with bipartisan support and Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign it.
“Today’s bill is a first step in a session-long effort to address the problems created by Obamacare and MNsure,” said House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. “As the first month of session comes to a close, Republican majorities have shown an ability to get things done for Minnesotans and to work productively with the governor.”
Republican-led reforms in the final bill include:
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