Friends,
Tomorrow I will be on News/Talk 1340 KROC at 8:15am. It's been a busy time at the Capitol and I'll have a lot to update everyone on. If you can't listen then, you can read about the highlights in my update below.
Bipartisan Health Insurance Reform Passes House
The Minnesota Premium Security Plan (HF5), which establishes a state-based reinsurance program, passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 78-53. This program is designed to stabilize and reduce premiums by mitigating the impact of high-risk individuals, or those who are the most sick, on the individual health insurance market. According to Minnesota Management and Budget, the proposal is estimated to reduce premiums by 17-18 percent.
The Minnesota Premium Security is a significant step forward in fixing the problems created by Obamacare and MNsure. Minnesota once had a health insurance market that was one of the best in the nation and this will help to restore that. Not only will Minnesotans that need it most have access to health insurance, but it is also expected to reduce premiums by 18 percent or more and help tie Minnesota into expected changes coming out of Washington, D.C.
Prior to Obamacare, Minnesota had a health insurance safety net program and it was a model for the nation. Today, Minnesota’s individual insurance market is a third as large and twice as sick as it was before Obamacare.
Teacher Retention Reform
Schools should have the ability to keep the best teachers in the classroom and the current “Last In, First Out” (LIFO) system arbitrarily puts new teachers at the top of the list when lay-offs must occur, regardless if they are excelling in the classroom.
This week we passed legislation in the House this week removes the default in state law which will allow school districts and bargaining units to explore alternative options that may better serve students, families, and teachers.
Rep. Quam with supporters of his bill to make a police memorial license plate available in Minnesota
Essay Contest
In order to commemorate the restoration of our Capitol, there is an essay contest for Minnesota students to write about what the Capitol means to them. The contest will have winners for three different age levels with the winner of each winning $1,000 towards college. Visit the website here for more information and to see the subjects. Encourage your school-aged children to enter!
Visitors to Capitol
Recently, a number of constituents and groups from our area came to meet with me in Saint Paul. They include individuals from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Bear Creek Services, Modern Woodsmen of America, Minnesota School Social Workers Association, Mom's Demand Action, OneOme LLC, Minnesota Chiropractic Association, the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association, Leadership of Greater Rochester, officials from the City of Rochester, the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation, the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota, the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, Education Minnesota-Rochester, and BikeMN.
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Duane