News

Minnesota lawmakers considering health insurance rebate

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a proposal intended to help offset escalating health insurance costs.

Minnesota Lt. Governor Tina Smith says a special session to address dramatic increases in premiums for nearly 200,000 Minnesotans on the individual market-including many farmers-could happen later this month.

“If we can get agreement on this with the Legislature, we could have a special session in a week or two, and make sure that when people start paying those increased premiums in the beginning of the next year that they’ll have that relief.”

That relief would be in the form of a 25 percent rebate.

Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association president Tim Nolte says something has to be done.

“Healthcare is on everybody’s mind.  Nobody seems to know what to do or where to go, so I just can’t say enough about how the healthcare industry has taken over (the) number one seat of what needs to be adjusted.”

In addition to a possible special session, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has commissioned a task force of political and health care leaders to explore long-term solutions.

Brownfield spoke to Smith and Nolte during the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention in Bloomington Friday.

Lt. Governor Tina Smith

Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association president Tim Nolte