Health Insurance Exchange Provides Enormous Opportunity for Minnesota Consumers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greta Bergstrom, 651.336.6722, greta@takeactionminnesota.org

HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE PROVIDES ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR MINNESOTA CONSUMERS

“New Insurance Exchange Has Opportunity to Rein in Costs, Increase Accessibility for Over A Million Minnesotans”

St. Paul, MN (January 9, 2013) –TakeAction Minnesota issued a statement following this afternoon’s introduction of legislation which would create a new state-based health insurance exchange.

“As the debate over a new health insurance exchange unfolds this session – one that we expect to be rigorous — it is critical that legislators place the people who use health insurance, not those that sell it, at the center. The bi-partisan legislation introduced this afternoon is a strong starting point to reigning in costs and increasing accessibility for over one million Minnesota consumers.

“The bill introduced today reflects the importance of creating an exchange that can negotiate for the best deal on behalf of Minnesota individuals, families and small business employees. The legislation also applies strong conflict-of-interest standards for the state’s governing board to ensure responsible public oversight.

“We thank Senator Lourey and Representative Atkins, as well as the co-sponsors, for their leadership in crafting this legislation. In the coming weeks, we look forward to participating in a robust discussion of how a new state-based exchange can best serve the needs of Minnesota healthcare consumers.”

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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide people’s network of more than 14,000 individuals and 28 organizational members working to raise the voices of Minnesotans in their own communities to advance social, racial and economic justice. The organization has offices in St. Paul and Duluth.