Dear Neighbor,
New laws, National Night Out and good news regarding health insurance premiums are a few subjects of note this week.
The good word on health insurance came Monday when the Minnesota Department of Commerce issued preliminary rates for the 2018 individual insurance market. The report shows that reforms we put in place this year could bring to an end the four-year trend of double-digit premium increases that has followed the start of Obamacare and MNsure in Minnesota.
If approved by the federal government, the Minnesota Premium Security Plan will mean premium decreases for tens of thousands of Minnesotans. This is a break from the rut we had been in where average rates increased by double digits every year since 2014 (including nearly 60 percent for 2017). The Department of Commerce reports rates could have risen by 25 percent or more without the reforms we passed.
The increases people have seen in health insurance prices year after year have been choking family budgets. It’s good to see reforms we passed last session are delivering results to put our state back on track to once again be a national health care leader. Final rates for the 2018 individual market are set to be released this October, so stay tuned for the final word.
As for the new laws, a new batch of policy measures take effect today. Click here for a complete rundown of the changes from nonpartisan House Public Information Services.
One other change in law already went into effect and it is geared toward National Night Out events. It simply allows police departments and cities to raise and spend money to support these community-building gatherings. Hope you are able to get out and take part in local National Night Out events tonight.
I will be back with more news soon, including information about festivities taking place Aug. 11-13 in St. Paul as Minnesota celebrates the re-opening of our State Capitol following a major restoration project.
Sincerely,
Matt