Health care reform advanced by the Minnesota Senate Republicans looks to have reversed a disturbing trend of rate increases which had plagued Minnesota’s individual health care market at least according to a new report released by the Minnesota Department of Commerce on Monday.

The reform known as reinsurance was introduced by Senate Republicans during the 2017 legislative session with the intention to level off projected costs and expand access to doctors and hospitals for the people of Minnesota.   In the years past Minnesotans on the individual market had come to expect dramatic annual premium increases ranging as high as 50 to 67%. Fortunately, as result of this reform Minnesotans in the individual market in 2018 will see a much more positive result with some rates decreasing as much as 38% and one other climbing minimal 2.8%.

Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R- Big Lake) released the following statement:

“Over the past several years Minnesotans have been experiencing a disturbing and unstable trend of double -digit premium increases that brought Minnesota’s individual insurance market right to the brink of collapse. These premium increases have had a real effect on the people of Minnesota and put many thousands in very difficult situations.  I’m proud to see that in only one year, Senate Republicans have already made a difference. Through new and innovate reform we’ve begun to turn Minnesota’s health care climate around reducing residents’ rates and ensuring that providers stay in our state. While there is still a long way to go, I’m confident that Senate Republicans can continue to develop innovative reform that will allow us to return our state’s status as national leader in health care.”