MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Pollard, Legislative and Communications Director
651-201-8039

ST. PAUL, MN - Recent news from Washington, D.C. regarding delays in the small business functions of the federal exchange won't affect Minnesota businesses because Minnesota is establishing MNsure, a state-based exchange, independent of the federal program.

"As a result of establishing MNsure, Minnesota controls its own destiny and is not tied to what the federal government chooses to deliver," said Commissioner Jim Schowalter. "Independence from federal control was and continues to be a compelling reason for MNsure."

MNsure's Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is being built to allow small businesses to employ a defined contribution model for health insurance. This means small businesses will be able to provide a defined amount of money to each employee to allow them to pick the plan that best fits their individual needs.

MNsure will also be able to distribute lump sums received from small businesses for employee health insurance coverage to the insurance companies based on which plans the employees choose, easing the administration of providing health insurance for small employers.

MNsure Executive Director April Todd-Malmlov added, "The SHOP program at MNsure will make the purchase of health insurance for small businesses easier and more streamlined so employers can focus on growing their businesses and adding jobs."

MNsure is a one-stop health insurance marketplace where individuals, families and small employers will be able to get quality health coverage at a fair price. MNsure will empower more than 1 million Minnesotans to choose the health insurance they need at a price they can afford, saving $1 billion every year on health care costs. It will facilitate enrollment in public health insurance and private insurance products, calculate eligibility for tax credits and allow Minnesotans to shop and compare between insurance products. MNsure will also provide information on quality of health insurers and health care providers.

Enrollment in MNsure begins October 1, 2013. For more information about MNsure, how it will benefit Minnesota consumers and businesses, and how to provide input or learn more about the stakeholder process visit www.mnsure.org.

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