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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL)

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Premium Relief Passes Minnesota House - Carlson disappointed relief is tied to for-profit insurance provisions

Thursday, January 26, 2017

St. Paul, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF 1 providing health insurance premium relief for Minnesotans. The measure also radically changes the health insurance system in Minnesota by allowing for-profit insurers to operate in the state.

 

Representative Andrew Carlson (DFL-Bloomington) released the following statement:

 

“First and foremost I am glad that we reached a compromise providing relief to thousands of families experiencing sky-rocketing premiums. This should have passed months ago and too many families waited too long for relief to pass. It is disappointing relief was tied to major changes in Minnesota’s health insurance system that will allow for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota. HMOs, by law, have been defined as non-profit organizations in Minnesota for almost 50 years. This long history of nonprofit HMOs has contributed to Minnesota consistently ranking number one in health care. Allowing for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota has an unknown impact on the way health care is delivered in Minnesota. I support real health care reform like reducing costs and eliminating surprise billing. I look forward to the reform package my colleagues and I will be introducing in the coming weeks.”

 

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