Dayton Doubles Down On Plea For MNsure Fix

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Gov. Mark Dayton is calling on state legislators to set politics aside to help families facing skyrocketing health care premiums.

The governor is under the gun to come up with a solution before open enrollment for MNsure begins on Nov. 1.

So far, no progress has been made.

Dayton sent a letter to legislative leaders Tuesday, asking them to come up with a solution.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Dayton doubled down on his request for caucus leaders to draft an agreeable solution before next month.

Last week, Dayton announced a proposal he sent to legislators to use around $300 million that was scheduled to be added to the reserve in December.

Instead, he wants the money to go toward helping families who purchase insurance in the individual market and don't qualify for federal tax credits.

He called it a "rainy day" fund.

Dayton says he's not only looking for an immediate, temporary solution, but he plans to continue to work with other leaders to reform the Affordable Care Act.

"We're going to do as much as we can, and at the state level, [we're going to] work with other governors, push on administration next Congress to do what they need to do to remedy these defects, because they are severe defects," Dayton said.

Why are the premiums in the individual market going up so much?

The problem was insurance companies didn't expect to have to pay more to cover care than they received in premiums. That resulted in millions of dollars in losses.

Then, Blue Cross Blue Shield, a major insurer, dropped out of the market, so those that are left increased their premiums.

About 5 percent of Minnesotans buy their health insurance in the individual market.

The rest get their health coverage through their employers or government plans. They will not be affected by increasing premiums.