Minn. State Sen. Gruenhagen: Gov. Walz Renews Push for Minnesota Government-Run Healthcare

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 26 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following newsletter on Feb. 25, 2024, by State Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe:

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Friends and neighbors,

A couple of weeks ago, Gov. Tim Walz's administration announced a new proposal for a public health insurance option. If you don't know what this term means, it is pretty simple: it is government-run healthcare. The Walz plan would allow people to buy into the state's MinnesotaCare program or require insurers to offer a standardized plan.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses published a great article explaining why government-run healthcare would be a disaster for Minnesota. They point out several major consequences, including:

* It will be more expensive and less effective. It will require twice as much taxpayer money and serve half the number of people as reinsurance. At minimum.

* Everyone, including you, will pay much more. "In order to offer a platinum-plated benefit set at premiums that are remotely attractive, a public option relies on both massive public subsidies and very low payments for healthcare provider services."

* It will dramatically reduce access to care. Rural healthcare providers are already severely struggling, and more people are already experiencing long drive times or declines in available services. A flood of people suddenly signing up for government plans, with their low reimbursement rates, will make this problem even worse.

But those consequences are features, not bugs. Because their true aim is to destroy the private market altogether. That is exactly what their government-run healthcare proposal would accomplish.

I would encourage you to read their entire piece: https://www.nfib.com/content/news/minnesota/walz-administration-releases-plans-for-government-run-health-insurance/

If you have any questions please let me know.

God Bless,

Glenn

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Original text here: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/gruenhagen-gov-walz-renews-push-for-minnesota-government-run-healthcare/