Minnesota health-exchange bill signed; ‘MnSure’ expected to help cover 1 million [Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.]

March 20--Gov. Mark Dayton has signed into law legislation to create a new health insurance exchange in Minnesota.

The measure, signed Wednesday, March 20, is expected to help more than 1 million state residents obtain coverage by 2016.

Following weeks of contentious debate with Republicans and business groups criticizing the cost and leadership structure for the new marketplace, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party majority passed health exchange legislation this month without a single Republican vote in the state House of Representatives and Senate.

In comments Wednesday during a signing ceremony at the Capitol, Dayton said the legislation was supported by doctors, patient groups, unions and one organization representing some small businesses. Larger business lobbies have opposed the legislation.

"This is not meant to serve the insurance industry, or any industry," Dayton said.

"The people won on this bill," said Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, the chief author of the bill in the Senate.

The health-insurance exchange will operate as a new state government entity with about 86 employees. It will be led by a seven-person board of directors with members appointed by the governor and subject to ratification votes in the House and Senate.

With a projected operating budget of about $50 million per year, the health exchange will withhold a portion of premiums from policies sold in the new marketplace to cover expenses.

Consumers can start shopping for coverage

on the new marketplace beginning in October. Acknowledging that the name "health exchange" has not been a popular term with consumers for describing the marketplace, state officials announced Wednesday a new name it -- MNsure. The name is pronounced Minn-sure, said Jim Schowalter, the state's commissioner for management and budget.

Christopher Snowbeck can be reached at 651-228-5479. Follow him at twitter.com/chrissnowbeck and facebook.com/PioneerPressPolitics.

___

(c)2013 the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.)

Visit the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.) at www.twincities.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services