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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dean Urdahl (R)

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Health care costs set to decrease on individual market

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

 

ST. PAUL – For the second consecutive year, legislative reforms have proven to help reduce or hold flat individual market health insurance rates after years of double-digit increases following the implementation of Obamacare in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce released final rates for the 2019 individual insurance market on Tuesday. All five of the carriers on the individual market are lowering premiums for 2019, with average rates dropping between 7.4 percent and 27.7 percent. For example, reports show a family of four in the House District 18A area could save $1,980 on their premium costs over the next year.

“It is nice to see reforms we implemented this biennium not only put a stop to double-digit increases in health insurance premiums, but now are producing double-digit decreases,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township. “The job is far from finished, but this is real relief for people and it appears our state is back on track and is regaining its status as the national health care leader it was before our system was turned on its ear with the shaky launch of MNsure.”

The individual market serves Minnesotans who buy health insurance on their own, not through an employer or the government.

From 2014-2017, average rates increased by double digits every year, including up to 67 percent for 2017. Due to reforms enacted in 2017, individual market rates for 2018 remained flat or were reduced for most Minnesotans on the individual market. The Minnesota Department of Commerce confirmed last year and this year that without reforms, rates would have risen by 20 percent or more.

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