By Rep. Paul Anderson
Realizing the urgency, both chambers of the Legislature passed bills last Thursday that would get help to those Minnesota residents on the individual health insurance market.
With premium increases in some instances 60 percent higher than last year, the legislation grants state credits to those who don’t qualify for federal subsidies. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill later that same evening, which means the 25 percent subsidies could be available by late March or early April.
I was proud of how early in the session we acted to get this assistance to those who need it. The final bill represents a compromise between the Legislature and governor, with both sides getting key measures included in the final bill. Gov. Dayton wanted the funding to go to the insurance companies, who would then issue credits on the monthly bills of those who qualify. That will result in quicker payments for residents and also lower administrative fees for the program. It’s estimated the rebate payments could show up on insurance bills by late March or early April.
Republicans kept several key reform measures in the final bill, including one that provides for continuity of care, meaning someone can continue receiving care for an acute illness or pregnancy beyond the first trimester, even if that provider is no longer in the patient’s network. For this year, the state would make up the difference between the in-network and out-of-network costs to the insurance carrier. Once the $15 million appropriation is gone, the insurance carriers would be required to pay the full cost without any additional state assistance.
Other reform features of the bill include a ban on surprise billing by insurance carriers, opening up the state market to for-profit HMOs, which should eventually provide more coverage options, and a more streamlined pathway for agricultural cooperatives to offer group health insurance to their members.
In all, the cost of the legislation is $327 million and will come out of the state’s budget reserve. Most of that total, nearly $312 million is going for premium relief. The continuity of care portion is $15 million, with another $272,000 going to Minnesota Management and Budget to administer the program.
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I sent out an e-mail update last week with details of changes in the speed limit on several state highways in District 12B. They include highways 104 and 114, mainly in Pope County, and two longer stretches, Highway 27 from the western border all the way to the freeway in Alexandria, and Highway 29 from Wadena all the way down to Highway 40 south of Benson. Speed limits will increase from 55 to 60 mph on these roads when new signs are posted. That work was scheduled to begin last week.
I’ve had several questions about Highway 28, especially the stretch between Glenwood and Sauk Centre. That part of the highway has garnered a reputation as an area where many speeding tickets are handed out. Part of the reason may be that after going 70 miles per hour on the freeway and then getting off at Sauk Centre and heading west, it can seem like going 55 is slow.
In checking with MnDOT folks, that highway will be appraised next year. They have a schedule of roads to evaluate each year, and Highway 28 will be done during the coming year. Such aspects as the number of curves, number of accidents, width of the road surface and sight lines are all used to make the determination. Since 28 has just been resurfaced and has wide shoulders with rumble strips, it would appear to be a good candidate for the increased speed limit. If approved by MnDOT, Highway 28 would be part of next year’s announcement.
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