Dear Neighbor,
A top priority entering this legislative session was to improve our poorly performing state health care system. The session is not yet one month old and a package of relief and reform already was approved Thursday by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor.
The package provides a 25-percent premium reduction to Minnesotans who do not qualify for MNsure tax credits on the individual market. It also includes key Republican-led reforms to preserve care for those receiving life-saving treatments and increase competition and consumer choice moving forward.
The continued care reform is especially important and this will help people who have come to me with personal stories about the hardships MNsure has caused them. Accessibility issues are forcing local citizens to drive significant distances to receive in-network care and others have been denied due to enrollment caps.
Many people are in a tough spot, having to choose between coverage they can’t afford to purchase and can’t afford to live without. The bill we sent to the governor for approval is not a cure-all, but it is a very good first step this early in the session and comes to the relief of many.
Thank you to all the people of District 5A who continue providing me with their thoughts on the issues. Above, Bemidji home builder Howard Zetah stopped by my office this week to talk about a number of topics. I really appreciate the time and effort people make from our district to come down to the Capitol and discuss whatever issues are on their mind.
Your thoughts are helpful to me as I work to do my best to represent the people of our area, so please stay in touch. I plan to set up informal district meetings over coffee in the near future, so look for more details on those soon.
Before closing, I urge local citizens to join me in sending the governor our most sincere blessings as he endures health issues. Let’s hope he receives good reports and overcomes the challenges he is facing.
Sincerely,
Matt