Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2017 legislative session began on Tuesday, January 3rd, and the House wasted no time in getting to work on some of Minnesotans’ top priorities. Here is an update from the Capitol.
Addressing Health Care Affordability
On Thursday, House Republicans attempted to declare a state of urgency to pass House File 1—premium assistance and health care reform to help folks struggling with skyrocketing insurance premiums and a failing individual market. Unfortunately, House Democrats blocked the measure on the floor.
House File 1 is a top priority for House Republicans, and included in the bill is a premium assistance rebate of 25 percent for eligible Minnesotans for the first three months of 2017, followed by an up to 30 percent premium reduction based on income. If signed into law, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget would disperse premium assistance directly on a monthly basis to Minnesotans, helping provide financial relief for those struggling to cover skyrocketing health care costs.
In addition, to begin addressing needed reforms to our insurance market, HF 1 includes a number of important changes that would improve access, competition and accessibility.
First, the bill requires the Department of Commerce to post initial health plan rate filings within ten days of receipt to ensure that we are not again blindsided by problems within the individual market. This also gives state leaders more time to take action to remedy any issues. What’s more, the bill also enables more small businesses to offer affordable health insurance, allows for-profit insurers to enter the market to increase competition, funds continuity of care and ends surprise billing from in-network hospitals using out-of-network providers.
These reforms, along with financial relief to folks struggling on the individual market, are important first steps to fix our broken health care system and remedy the problems that came with the implementation of MNsure and Obamacare in Minnesota. We will work to get this bill passed and on the governor’s desk as soon as possible.
Federal Tax Conformity
Also on Thursday, the Minnesota House passed a measure that provides $21.7 million in immediate tax relief to Minnesotans, conforming our state tax rates to the federal government. Quick passage of this legislation is important to avoid complications for early filers and the Department of Revenue.
I am pleased this bill passed off the floor quickly, and look forward to passing additional legislation to provide meaningful, middle-class tax relief later this session.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B