Delegation Announces Program to Help North Dakotans Pay for Health Care

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 -- The office of Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., issued the following news release:

Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy announced today that five North Dakota employers -- representing private businesses, State and local government, and non-profits -- will soon be receiving federal assistance to help pay for health coverage for their early retirees.

The employers , who applied for admission into the program, are the first in North Dakota to be accepted into the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. "It has been difficult for many employers in North Dakota to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs for employees and retirees. Some of that burden will be lifted when health reform kicks in in 2014. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will help North Dakota employers bridge this gap and maintain coverage for workers and retirees until then," the delegation said in a joint statement. Created by the Affordable Care Act, the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program provides $5 billion in financial assistance nationally to employers to help them maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older who are not yet eligible for Medicare. Employers accepted into the program will receive reimbursement for medical claims for early retirees and their spouses, and dependents. Savings can be used by the employer to reduce their health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both. The program ends on January 1, 2014 when State health insurance Exchanges are up and running. Those North Dakota employers that applied for and were approved for the HHS program include:

* Noridian Mutual Insurance Company (Blue Cross / Blue Shield North Dakota)

** Border States Industries, Inc.

** City of Fargo Health Trust

** MDU Resources Group, Inc. Health and Welfare Benefits Program

** North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System

"The Affordable Care Act's Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will make it a little easier for employers to provide high-quality health benefits to their retirees as we work to put in place market reforms to lower costs for all," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

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