Governor Dayton Signs Bill to Reduce Health Insurance Premiums by 25 Percent for 125,000 Minnesotans

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 27 -- Gov. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., issued the following news release:

Governor Mark Dayton today signed Chapter 2, SF 1, to provide an automatic 25 percent reduction in health insurance premiums for the more than 125,000 Minnesotans facing significant premium increases in the individual market.

The following is a statement from Governor Mark Dayton.

"In order to provide urgently-needed health insurance premium relief to 125,000 Minnesotans, I am signing this essential legislation today. I do not agree with everything included in it. I have said repeatedly that I think it is unnecessary and unwise to rush the 'reforms' added to this bill, without proper public review or full consideration of their consequences. I am especially concerned that the change to allow foreign and for-profit insurers into the Minnesota market has not been adequately reviewed, and I ask the legislature to seriously re-evaluate this provision, when future health care legislation is considered.

"However, I appreciate that the bill's Conferees agreed to my proposed mechanism to provide this premium relief as quickly as possible. And I commend the House leadership for championing the important 'Continuity of Care' addition to the bill.

"I also appreciate the Senate leadership's willingness to set aside, for now, the reinsurance provision, which I have urged be given more careful consideration through the appropriate legislative committees. And I am relieved that the Conferees wisely rejected the House amendment, which would have removed important health care protections for Minnesotans.

"The Legislature and I must now turn our attention to making good health care coverage available and affordable for all Minnesotans. As I said the other night, 'If we all give a little, Minnesotans will gain a lot.' That spirit prevailed in negotiating this legislation. May it continue."

Governor Dayton first proposed health insurance premium relief for Minnesotans 90 days ago for a possible special session, and reintroduced his plan as his first budget proposal of the 2017 Legislative Session 23 days ago.

If the Governor's proposal had been passed during a special session, it could have taken effect immediately in January, and would have given Minnesotans more certainty about what their premium costs would be, and what coverage they could afford. Now, many Minnesotans are running out of time as they make health care decisions before enrollment concludes at the end of January.

Premium Relief Will Benefit 125,000 Minnesotans

Governor Dayton's plan for a 25 percent reduction in health insurance premiums will create no additional costs or delays in delivering relief for the more than 125,000 Minnesotans facing significant premium increases in the individual market.

Unnecessary and Unwise Additions

The compromise bill signed today follows Governor Dayton's proposal, to provide immediate relief to 125,000 Minnesotans with no additional costs or delays. But it also includes a number of Republican additions with unknown consequences which have not been fully considered by the public, and which are not needed to get immediate relief to Minnesotans hit hard by premium increases on the individual market.

Reforms to Make Health Coverage More Affordable for Minnesotans

During his State of the State Address this week, Governor Dayton proposed a set of reforms to make health coverage more affordable for Minnesotans who purchase their insurance on the individual market. Governor Dayton's plan would allow Minnesotans to purchase their health insurance through a "public option," by enrolling in MinnesotaCare coverage. MinnesotaCare was established in 1992 by Republican Governor Arne Carlson, and has historically had bipartisan support. Approximately 107,000 Minnesotans are enrolled in MinnesotaCare coverage for 2017.

Governor Dayton's proposal would expand health care choices for Minnesotans everywhere in the state, increase competition in the health insurance marketplace, and save Minnesotans money on their health care costs.

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