Minnesota legislators call for special session over health insurance market

Lawmakers in Minnesota called for a special Nov. 9 session to discuss the state's health insurance market, which is poised to offer fewer health plans and see high premium increases next year, Daily Globe reports.

State Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and State Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) called for the session to address next year's premium hikes, which could top 66 percent for some of the 250,000 Minnesotans who purchase individual Affordable Care Act plans.

The call for a special session comes after Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) said Oct. 12 the state's exchange was facing a "serious problem," and that the ACA "is no longer affordable for an increasing number of people." Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman has recently said the state's individual market is in "an emergency situation." 

State Sen. Abeler and State Rep. Hamilton are also proposing updating the state's reinsurance pool plan to imitate Alaska's, which has been successful, according to the report. 

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