Dear Friends,
Last Monday the House passed our reinsurance bill (HF5), which is a second step to reforming the mess MNsure has made of our insurance market in Minnesota. This bill is a follow up on our first MNsure relief and reform bill that passed early on this session. HF5 would lover insurance premium costs by 17-18% by absorbing the impact of people considered “high-risk” by insurance providers. This will make it easier for individuals with major health concerns to get insurance on the individual market. There is still plenty of work to be done to fix our individual market, but this is a step in the right direction.
This Monday, our caucus announced the House’s budget proposal. This budget is fiscally responsible, while addressing the concerns that individuals and families have expressed to us around the state. Our proposal would lower health care costs, provide over $1.35 billion in tax relief, invest in education for our kids, and build roads and bridges. More details will be provided once each finance bill passes their specific committee and are sent to the floor. I will keep you informed about these provisions as we start hearing these bills next week to meet the final finance bill deadline on March 31st.
Last weekend myself and Rep. Chris Swedzinski, Chair of the Subcommittee on Mining, Tourism, and Forestry, stoped by Cragun's Resort to meet with resort operators.
In closing, I’d like to thank everyone who came out on Monday for Veteran’s Day at the Capitol.
Veterans from Crow Wing County made the long drive to talk with me about their concerns.
The conversation was profitable, and I look forward to continuing to work with each of them in the future to help our state better honor and support our veterans community.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions as you hear about what we are debating in Saint Paul. I look forward to hearing from you.
Josh