Proposed 2020 health insurance premiums range from slight drop to modest increase

Health insurance premiums for 2020 in Minnesota’s individual market range on average from a 1.4 percent decrease to a 4.8 percent increase — proposed numbers submitted by insurers which the state Commerce Department now reviews. Republicans say due to their leadership on “reinsurance”, Minnesotans for the third-straight year will be protected from skyrocketing health insurance premiums. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says, “If Democrats had their way… we would be seeing massive proposed rate hikes.” Democrats argue reinsurance is only a temporary fix because the state pays insurance companies to hold down health insurance premiums. Governor Tim Walz agreed to it in a state budget compromise, but argues a long-term fix is to allow all Minnesotans to buy health insurance through MinnesotaCare which can negotiate lower premiums. Republicans warn that would be an expansion of government-run health care.