Plan would give an estimated 100,000 more Minnesotans the choice to purchase more affordable, high-quality health insurance for themselves and their families
ST. PAUL, MN – Joined by health care professionals and Duluth-area residents, Lt. Governor Tina Smith and Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper today held a town hall meeting on the proposed “
MinnesotaCare Buy-In.” The proposal would allow all Minnesotans who purchase health coverage on the individual market to buy-into MinnesotaCare – a program that offers high-quality insurance at more affordable prices.
Lt. Governor Smith and Commissioner Piper were joined for today’s panel discussion by State Senator Tony Lourey, Dr. Patrick Schoenfelder, Dr. David Sproat, and Minnesotans affected by rising health care costs. Also attending the town hall meeting were State Senator Erik Simonson, State Representative Jennifer Schultz, and State Representative Liz Olson.
“Minnesotans are concerned about the rising cost of health insurance for their families. This proposal can help,” said Lt. Governor Smith. “For 25 years, MinnesotaCare has offered a more affordable choice for 100,000 Minnesotans. Governor Dayton and I strongly believe that all Minnesotans should be able to purchase this high-quality health insurance. I thank Duluth-area residents for sharing their stories and input with me ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session.”
Lt. Governor Smith and Governor Mark Dayton proposed the MinnesotaCare Buy-In last year. To lower prices and improve access for an estimated 100,000 more Minnesotans, the Governor and Lt. Governor want to give all Minnesotans who purchase their health insurance on the individual market the choice to buy into MinnesotaCare. Those who choose “MinnesotaCare Buy-In” would pay their own way – meaning the cost of their premiums would pay for their coverage.
“MinnesotaCare has been source of quality, affordable coverage for decades. Now it’s time to give all Minnesotans the option to purchase MinnesotaCare coverage,” said Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “The MinnesotaCare Buy-In would expand health insurance choices for families across the state, especially those in Greater Minnesota. By leveraging the state’s competitive bidding process, we could strike a better bargain for Minnesotans who buy their own coverage – delivering lower health insurance costs for Minnesota families at little to no ongoing cost to taxpayers.”
While the Legislature did not approve MinnesotaCare Buy-In during the 2017 Legislative Session, they will have the opportunity to consider the proposal in 2018. If the plan is approved, MinnesotaCare Buy-In coverage would cost less than commercial health insurance plans. On top of those savings, Minnesotans who purchase MinnesotaCare Buy-In would still be eligible for federal tax credits through MNsure. This year, more than 70 percent of MNsure enrollees are receiving tax credits, averaging about $638 per month, or $7,656 per year.
About MinnesotaCare Buy-In
To learn more about the MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal, click on the following links:
Learn More – Learn more about the MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal, including the five most important things you need to know about how this plan will provide high-quality, affordable health coverage for Minnesotans. [
Link]
Get the Facts – Get the facts about how MinnesotaCare Buy-In would work to provide lower health insurance premiums to more Minnesotans. [
Link]
