Minnesota Republicans are claiming credit for a third straight year of relatively stable premiums for those buying health insurance on the private market or through MNsure. Preston Representative Greg Davids says Democrats fought his reinsurance plan tooth-and-nail, but “I think they came to the realization that, even though they were very much against it, they realized we had to have it, otherwise rates were projected to go up 50 percent.”
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says Republicans’ only plan for health care — writing a blank check to insurance companies — is not sustainable for the state budget. Davids responds reinsurance doesn’t subsidize insurance companies — it’s a safety net for those with large claims. He says if Democrats have better ideas, he’s more than willing to listen, “otherwise we will need to continue re-insurance.”