Tag: MinnesotaCare

Physician lawmakers Sen. Scott Jensen and Rep. Kelly Morrison talk health care

Having physicians crafting health care legislation is unusual and closely watched.

Four physicians served in this session of the Minnesota Legislature, including two area legislators. Sen. Scott Jensen (R-Chaska) represents Senate District 47 and is a family doctor. Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Deephaven) represents House District 33B and is an obstetrician.

The other physician legislators are Sen. Matt Kline, a Democrat representing Senate District 52, and House District 56B Democratic Rep. Alice Mann.

View the complete June 19 article by Lara Bockenstedt on The Chaska Herald website here.

MN Congressional delegation fights proposed federal cuts to MinnesotaCare funding

In a show of unity, all but one member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation has signed a letter seeking to preserve $24 million in federal funding for MinnesotaCare, and protect health coverage for over 80,000 Minnesotans.

The proposed change by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would significantly cut federal payments to Minnesota’s Basic Health Plan program, MinnesotaCare

That’s why U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-2), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Betty McCollum (MN-4), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Tom Emmer (MN-6), Collin Peterson (MN-7), and Pete Stauber (MN-8) are fighting the proposed changes.

View the complete April 11 article by the News Staff of DL-Online here.

Klobuchar, Smith Announce More Than $46 Million for Minnesota’s Basic Health Program, MinnesotaCare

The Basic Health Program (BHP), known as MinnesotaCare in Minnesota, is a health benefits program for low-income citizens who would otherwise be ineligible to purchase coverage through the health insurance marketplace

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded $46,276,090 in additional payments to Minnesota for their Basic Health Program (BHP). Established by the Affordable Care Act, states have the option to create a BHP for low-income citizens, providing healthcare coverage to those who do not qualify for programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CMS estimates that qualified health plan premiums in Minnesota would have been 18.8 percent higher if it was not operating their BHP, MinnesotaCare.

“Minnesota has a long, bipartisan history of innovation and efficiency in health care. MinnesotaCare has helped to bring down healthcare costs for the most vulnerable in our state who need affordable, comprehensive coverage,” Klobuchar said. “This funding helps in that effort and I will continue to fight for lower healthcare costs.”

“MinnesotaCare is a critical program that furthers our goal of making sure everyone has access to affordable, high-quality health care,” Smith said. “By investing in MinnesotaCare, we’re investing in people across the state and in the shared belief that we can all work collectively to lower the cost of health care.”

Continue reading “Klobuchar, Smith Announce More Than $46 Million for Minnesota’s Basic Health Program, MinnesotaCare”

Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program

The following article by Don Davis with the Forum News Service was posted on the PioneerPress website March 1, 2018:

Credit: Scott Takush, Pioneer Press

Most greater Minnesota residents have one or two choices for health insurers, which Gov. Mark Dayton said shows a need to expand a state health insurance program to everyone.

The MinnesotaCare insurance program especially could help farmers, who often struggle with finding and affording health care coverage, Dayton said Thursday.

The expansion plan is not new; the DFL governor unsuccessfully pushed it last year, but the Republican-controlled Legislature did not consider it. There is no sign that the GOP has changed position, but Dayton said the Nov. 6 election could influence Republicans to reconsider their votes. Continue reading “Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program”