ST. PAUL, MN—Representative Greg Davids, R-Preston, co-chair of the MNsure Legislative Oversight Committee, issued the following statement regarding Thursday's report from the non-partisan Legislative Auditor that improper payments to ineligible MNsure public program enrollees have resulted in between $115-$271 million in wasted taxpayer dollars.
"Minnesotans are tired of excuses from Governor Dayton and DHS, and are tired of MNsure treating their taxpayer dollars like Monopoly money," Davids said. "We've spent more than $300 million on this failed Obamacare exchange, and it somehow still can't figure out how to prevent hundreds of millions in benefits from going to those who aren't eligible. On top of skyrocketing health insurance premiums, this persistent incompetence is a slap in the face to hardworking taxpayers and Minnesotans are rightfully outraged."
In 2015, House Republicans passed legislation to improve public program eligibility verification, estimating savings of $300 million to Minnesota taxpayers over two years. The Dayton Administration as well as Senate and House Democrats disputed those savings. Thursday’s OLA report estimates savings up to $271 million in one quarter (January 2015 through May 2015) if eligibility had been properly determined.
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