Dear Neighbor,
Good news from the House as this week we passed the 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access Bill, a $300 million package of relief for people being swamped by hikes in their health insurance premiums.
Many people around our state saw their health insurance premiums spike by 67 percent or even more this year. Some people have been forced to make life-changing plans with their personal finances just to try to stay afloat. Other people have been even less fortunate.
There are differences between House and Senate versions of this bill that need to be resolved before we can vote on final passage and then send it to the governor to sign into law. The sooner that happens the better so we can get that aid in the hands of people who need it, along with market-based reform to provide more long-term stability for this program.
The full House also could soon vote on a bill that would allow Minnesotans to receive an ID which meets new federal standards that apply to purposes such as boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings.
This issue goes all the way back to the 9-11 attacks and Congress creating the Real ID program in 2005 as a way to combat terrorism. The program has been phased in over a number of years and the deadline for states to comply is January of 2018. Minnesotan remains one of just a few that has not brought its IDs up to speed with the new federal standards and the sticking point has hinged on how to find a solution without sacrificing citizens’ data privacy/security and basic civil liberties.
With that in mind, the House bill takes a two-tiered approach. Those who choose to get a Real ID-compliant version could do so. Those who would prefer to not partake in the Real ID program could abstain and simply continue using the standard IDs we use today. It should be noted the standard IDs will not allow you to board a plane a year from now, but a passport or the enhanced ID currently offered by the state would suffice.
One key difference between the Real ID card and passports/enhanced IDs is that Minnesota’s Real ID cards will not contain the RFID chips found in those other forms. Those RFID chips pose security risks themselves, so that is one more thing for people to consider on this issue.
This really is a case of trying to do the best we can with the hand the federal government has dealt us. It is not an ideal situation, but inaction likely would cause a whole host of problems none of us wants to see.
I will pass along more as things unfold. Until then, enjoy the little warm spell this weekend and keep sending me your feedback.
Sincerely,
Matt