MAHU’s lobbyist, Tim Wilkin, attended a Minnesota House Committee on Tuesday, April 6, in which the members considered some of the factors considering how the new federal health care law will impact Minnesota. It was clear that there are many details to be worked out and that even state officials do not have all of the answers yet.

With regard to the high risk pool portion, there is some uncertainty as to how much money Minnesota will receive and whether it would replace the current MCHA assessment. The new high risk pool is to operate alongside of the current state high risk pool, which is to take all new enrollees. The problem is that the new high risk pool is to be at market price while MCHA is at 120% of the market. It would appear that MCHA enrollees could technically drop MCHA and pursue the lower premiums in the new high risk pool if they are willing to go uninsured for 6 months (the barrier for entry into the new high risk pool).

Copies of HF3709 were made available for review, but it was not discussed. It is a bill to enact federal conformity. It was drafted before all of the provisions of the federal bill were completed. Interestingly, this bill has a public option included at the top of page 4. Here is a link to the bill language: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/
bldbill.php?bill=H3709.0.html&session=ls86

The Deputy Commissioner of Commerce suggested that it might be possible/preferable to develop a regional insurance exchange. This comment was supported by Chairman Huntley who indicated that MN, ND, SD, WI, and NE are all very similar in that they are low cost high quality health care states.

Below please find the handouts from the hearing on state conformity with the new federal health care bill.

» State Conformity with Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act

» Federal Health Care Reform: Short-Term Implications

» National Health Care Reform Overview

MAHU 2009 Legislative Report

For more information on MAHU legislative activities for 2009, please review the legislative report from Cook Hill Girard and Associates, MAHU’s former lobbyists.

» Download the legislative report.

MAHU testifies on House Bill 1865

House Bill 1865 proposes the moving of 85,000 individuals from MNCARE to the Private Insurance Market Place. Read the full press release.

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) held its nineteenth annual Capitol Conference from March 30 – April 1 in Washington, DC. The theme of the meeting was “One Mission, One Voice: Working Together for the Future of American Health Care” and over 700 health insurance professionals from across the country did just that by communicating NAHU’s legislative agenda to congressional leaders.

Greg Sailer, Roger Jorgenson, Ken Harpell and Greg Datillo attended this conference, both for the opportunity to learn more about the political environment for health care reform and to help communicate the importance of free market health insurance to Congress. Each has been a NAHU member for over 10 years; this was their second Capital Conference. Greg Sailer serves as the President Elect of the Minnesota chapter of NAHU. Roger Jorgenson serves as the Chairman of the Board of MAHU. Ken Harpel serves as the Legislative Chair of MAHU and Greg Datillo serves on the Legislative Committee as well as has authored a number of books about the cost of health care and the rising cost of insurance. Minnesota Association of Health Underwriters, is one of over 200 NAHU chapters across the country.

Capitol Conference’s guest speakers included leaders in the battle to enact sensible legislation that creates better access to health care. Other presentations addressed significant market reforms to the individual and possibly small group markets, the scope and structure of a potential national connector, the potential for a public plan buy-in option and its scope and structure, a potential employer mandate and overall costs and financing.

“Members of NAHU care about increasing access to affordable heath care,” said NAHU President Scott Leavitt. “We spend every day helping millions of individuals and employers find policies that will provide them with the best and most affordable coverage. With the current state of our economy, this endeavor is more important than it has ever been. Due to the changing direction of the health care industry, and the many important health care issues before Congress and the states, we are committed to finding solutions to the health insurance coverage problems facing Americans today.”

Overview: Minnesotans face difficult economic challenges, and health care is a primary cost-driver, particularly for Minnesota state government.

The Agents’ Coalition understands the need for balance between necessary effective health reform, and stabilizing or reducing the cost of state-funded health insurance programs. The Agents’ Coalition believes the following cost-effective market approaches will serve to establish a sound base on which to build long-term, successful reforms.

» Read the eight points of our 2009 legislative agenda.