Greetings,
As I am sure you are aware, Governor Dayton experienced a bit of a health scare earlier in the week while giving his State of State address on Monday. He then announced to the media the next day that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please join me in keeping the Governor and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Health Insurance Premium Relief (SF1):
On Thursday afternoon, the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the conference committee report for SF 1, and by Thursday evening it was signed by the Governor. The bill provides a 25% premium reduction to Minnesotans who do not qualify for federal tax credits through MNsure on the individual market, and includes key reforms to preserve care for those receiving life-saving treatments and increase competition and consumer choice moving forward.
Some of the reforms in this bill include:
- Allowing for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota (like most states) which will increase options for consumers
- Modifying stop loss coverage to make it easier for more small businesses to offer affordable insurance to their employees.
- Providing greater transparency for proposed insurance premium changes by requiring earlier disclosure of proposed rates.
- Allowing Agricultural Cooperatives to offer group health insurance to their members so farmers and their families can get better access to care and more affordable coverage.
- Ensuring Minnesota employees can benefit from the recently passed federal 21st Century Cures Act which allows employers to make pre-tax contributions toward employee health insurance costs.
- Network adequacy reform that will assist in ensuring more options for residents in rural Minnesota.
- Prohibiting surprise billing to protect consumers from previously undisclosed costs.
Status Update On Bills I Am Working On:
On Monday I testified on a bill I authored, House File 261, in the Veterans Affairs Division. House File 261 provides funding for de-escalation technique training for community safety personnel. This legislation will not only provide a training tool for our law enforcement officials, but it will also ensure smoother integration back to civilian life for those veterans who are struggling mentally. House File 261 passed through the committee on a unanimous vote and is headed to Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee for its next vetting process.
On Wednesday I testified in Taxes Committee on another bill I authored, House File 260. This bill increases the tax credit for purchasing long term care insurance from $100 to $200 for individuals, and from $200 to $400 for married couples filing jointly if both spouses have policies. I authored this bill in an attempt to avoid a long term care insurance crisis similar to what we are experiencing currently in health care. I am hopeful for the bill’s inclusion in a future omnibus tax bill.
Fun Fact of the Week:
On this day in 1965, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 was launched. Ford Motor Company brought on racing legend Carroll Shelby to put his personal touch on an already legendary piece of Detroit iron. Many consider the Mustang to be one of the first muscle cars produced.
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Sincerely,
