I support Governor Dayton's plan to enroll more individuals in MinnesotaCare. It has been a popular plan since its inception. MinnesotaCare is already in place and would just need to be expanded. Enrolling more people would share the risk and control the cost of the plan.
Rep. Heintzeman's plan to draft and initiate new reforms would cost time and money. Reforms like supporting "for-profit insurance providers." And what good is a provision which "requires the Department of Commerce to release insurance rate changes within 10 days of when they are filed by insurance companies?" Will that stop insurance companies from raising their rates? Unlikely.
For profit, or not, the executives of said insurance companies are going to make money by raising premiums and reducing benefits. That's not the fault of MNsure, but of the insurance companies that set the premium rates and define the plans.
Minnesota citizens would be much better off expanding the successful MinnesotaCare program, rather than supporting legislation that promotes the health insurance industry.
Gayle Nielsen
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Fort Ripley
