One thing I hear often when talking to constituents is the need for more affordability in health care. Health care costs have been rising for many years, and here in southern Minnesota, our insurance premiums are higher than in other parts of the state. MNsure has been a frustrating experience for many people as well.

This year, one of the top priorities for the new House Republican majority is finding ways to expand access and increase affordability of health care, and to bring more transparency and accountability to MNsure, Minnesota’s Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange.

I’m a co-author on House File 5 (HF5), a bill by my colleague Rep. Tara Mack from Apple Valley that would aim to accomplish all of those goals.

Rep. Mack’s bill would require the state to seek a waiver from the federal government that would allow Minnesotans to access tax credits they are eligible for regardless of where they purchase their insurance. Right now, if you’re eligible for a tax credit, you can only get that financial assistance by purchasing one of the plans offered through MNsure.

This approach puts some families in a tough bind; either purchase a plan through MNsure in order to receive financial assistance, or pay more to keep a plan they like outside the exchange.

We shouldn’t be putting families in that position. If the purpose of the Affordable Care Act is to get more people insured, why should it matter where they purchase their plan? We want to empower families to have as many options as possible and give them the ability to keep the plan they like if they so choose, and help them afford it by giving them the tax credits they are eligible for under the law.

A recent amendment to HF5 would also give families more time to plan for open enrollment. Under current law, MNsure rates are released on the day open enrollment begins. Our bill would create a 30-day window before open enrollment for people to see prices, giving families more time to find a plan that meets their needs and works with their budget.

On the accountability side, HF5 would remove certain exemptions that were given to MNsure when it was first created that state agencies are currently subject to for things like data privacy, executive salaries, IT oversight and other exemptions.

With more than $180 million spent so far on the creation of MNsure, I think it’s reasonable to put these basic requirements back in place so MNsure is subject to the same standards we expect from other taxpayer-funded state agencies.

This bill is not an attempt to get rid of MNsure or tear it down. Quite the opposite in fact: this bill makes changes that I hope will receive bipartisan support to make sure it works better, and delivers on the promises that were made when it was first created. Minnesotans deserve increased access and affordability in health care, and our bill offers positive solutions that could help accomplish that.

Our conversation will not stop there, however. We realize that there are other problems in health care that need to be addressed. The high insurance premium costs in southern Minnesota is just one of those issues. This bill is a first step, but I’m committed to continuing the conversation so health care is accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans.

 

Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is the House District 27A representative.