Some Republicans not sold on eliminating MN Care
Eliminating a public health care program called MinnesotaCare could end up being a critical part of the budget plan adopted by the Republican-controlled Minnesota House.
But at least one Republican legislator says he doesn’t support a bill to get rid of MinnesotaCare. In committee he voted against the legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwood.
“From an employer’s standpoint, in greater Minnesota and as a small employer… I just didn’t think today is the day to say goodbye to MinnesotaCare. I have employees who are still using it,” said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, who operates restaurants and hotels in the Willmar area. “We’re not quite there yet, but down the road it’s something we should address.”
MinnesotaCare is more than two decades old. It provides state subsidies to help people buy health insurance when they make too much money to qualify for Medical Assistance, but don’t get coverage through an employer and can’t afford to buy their own plan.
Dean’s plan would move these participants to MNsure, the state’s health insurance exchange, where they would buy a health insurance plan that Dean says will be better tailored to their needs. Dean said his proposal could save roughly $900 million, with some of that money being spent on other GOP priorities like nursing home funding.
House Republicans are also planning to cut taxes by $2 billion over the next two years.
By and large, most MinnesotaCare enrollees live in rural parts of the state, and largely in districts like Baker’s, which are represented by Republicans.
Securing support from members of the GOP caucus will be critical for the survival of the Republican’s budget, and groups backing MinnesotaCare will be targeting Republican legislators who represent the majority of MinnesotaCare’s enrollees in the coming weeks.
Over the Legislature’s Easter and Passover break, the liberal group TakeAction Minnesota has organized a phone bank effort in key districts promoting the benefits of MinnesotaCare. And the group has also spearheaded a letter writing campaign in support of MinnesotaCare that’s been signed by more than 80 groups, including the American Heart Association and UCare, a prominent Minnesota health insurance firm.
These groups are concerned that MinnesotaCare enrollees will end up spending more to find insurance on the exchange.
