Republicans couldn’t get a health care “reinsurance” bill moving in the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House, after Republicans in the state Senate passed it earlier Monday. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says, “We saw the reductions in premiums two years in a row, double-digit reductions in premiums two years in a row.” But Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says, “The reinsurance program is so far unaccountable and it’s certainly not sustainable.”
Governor Tim Walz calls reinsurance “a blank check to health insurance companies” because the state pays coverage costs for the most seriously ill. Walz proposes direct rebates to some Minnesotans and expanded tax credits for health care premiums. Republicans warn that would expand government-run health care and create more problems like with MNsure. Walz fires back, “The reinsurance program was supposed to be a one-time deal, and continuing it is irresponsible. ”