Minnesota Health Insurance

Minnesota To Continue SCHIP Coverage For Some Parents

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:18:23 -0600

HHS has granted Minnesota a waiver to allow the state to continue providing SCHIP coverage for some parents through June 2011, according to Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Bush administration has opposed the use of SCHIP funds for adults, but under the waiver the state will use SCHIP funds to cover kids and use Medicaid to cover about 18,000 parents, according to the AP/Pioneer Press. Without the waiver, the state would have lost up to $130 million in federal matching funds over the next three years (AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/6).

Private Health Plan Spending Growth Slows In Minnesota

ruzik_tuzik — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:17:11 -0500

Spending by private health plans in Minnesota increased by 4.3% from 2006 to 2007, the lowest growth rate since 1997, according to a report released Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Health, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. According to Julie Sonier, director of the department's health economics program, "It is possible" that part of the slower growth in spending resulted from state efforts to reduce wasteful and inefficient health care and prevent chronic diseases (Olson, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/1).

Minnesota Lawmakers Seek Suspension Of Proposed Medicaid Rule

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:11:58 -0500

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) have introduced bills to suspend a proposed federal Medicaid rule that would reduce funding for the state's MinnesotaCare program and that potentially could cut up to 18,000 low- and middle-income beneficiaries from the program, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The rule, which was scheduled to take effect on Sept. 10, would have affected 17,000 adults with incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level, and 1,000 parents with children ages 19 and 20.

Minnesota Vetoes Health Care Expansion Bill

hareyan — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:26:31 -0500

Minnesota Governor vetoed legislation that would have expanded access to publicly-sponsored health coverage, saying the bill would not reduce health care costs or improve quality.

Minnesota Governor Proposes Health Care System Changes

hareyan — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:47:41 -0500

Minnesota Governor said that legislation being considered to overhaul the state's health care system should include health savings accounts and tax credits as a way to reduce costs for residents who purchase private health insurance.

Minnesota Legislation Would Overhaul State's Health Care System

hareyan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:57:54 -0500

The Minnesota House voted 83-50 to approve legislation that would overhaul the state's health care system using money from a fund that helps pay for a subsidized health care program.

Minnesota Senate Gives Preliminary Approval To Health Care Overhaul Bill

hareyan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:29:16 -0500

The Minnesota Senate voted 41-22 to grant preliminary approval to legislation that would overhaul the state health care system and expand coverage to 47,000 state residents.

Minnesota May Approve Health Care Legislation

hareyan — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:43:42 -0500

Minnesota lawmakers this week are expected to approve legislation that is expected to reduce health care spending in the state by 20% by 2015 and extend coverage to an additional 47,000 residents.

Governor Calls For Minnesota Health Insurance Mandate

hareyan — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:35:26 -0600

Minnesota to require all residents to obtain health coverage and that the state use savings from reducing inefficiencies and insurers' administrative costs to extend health coverage to the uninsured.

Minnesota Rates Of Uninsurance Stabilize Following Increases

hareyan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:26:57 -0600

Minnesota Department of Health and School of Public Health survey shows 7.2 percent of Minnesotans were without health insurance in 2007.