Rep. Torkelson: Health Care Premium Relief, Reform Bills Moving Forward

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 16 -- The Minnesota State House Republican Caucus issued the following news release:

With millions of Minnesotans being negatively impacted by rising health care costs, State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said a special effort is being made this session to begin quickly addressing health insurance premium relief and reform.

"We were unable to get the legislation off the floor with expediency but it is going through the normal committee process," Torkelson said. "I certainly understand that people are having issues with health insurance and need us to act, but at the same time we're monitoring what may be happening at the federal level with Obamacare."

Torkelson said bills moving through Minnesota House committees focus on providing health care premium relief to eligible Minnesotans, while health insurance reforms would allow patient access to their doctors, competition for health coverage to drive down prices, and increased transparency.

"These bills represent the first phase of the health care fix because they are more immediate in nature," Torkelson said. "In the coming weeks we will also craft a long-term solution that we believe will be more affordable and practical for those seeking health insurance."

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