For Immediate Release

(ST. PAUL, MN) Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman announced today he will assemble a task force to advise on the design and development of a Minnesota-made health insurance exchange.

The health insurance exchange will be a new marketplace for individuals and businesses to buy affordable health insurance for high quality care. An exchange will make health care easier to navigate for consumers and small businesses and allow Minnesotans to easily compare health insurance options based on cost, quality, and consumer satisfaction. It will also foster fair and equitable competition to encourage insurers and health care providers to place a greater focus on value and affordability.

"Minnesota has a long tradition of leading the nation in health care. This task force will continue that tradition by collaborating with a diverse group of people to craft an effective, consumer-friendly exchange built by Minnesotans, for Minnesotans," Commissioner Rothman said.

States have until January 1, 2013, to create their own health insurance exchanges, to be available to consumers beginning in 2014.

"The task force will bring all interested parties together to help design and develop an insurance exchange that improves affordable access to health care for Minnesotans," Commissioner Rothman said.

The Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Task Force will consist of 15 members appointed by Commissioner Rothman and will represent a balance of interests, including consumers, employers, labor, health care providers, health insurers, Medicaid, agents and those with experience navigating health plan enrollment, and experts in public and private health care markets and public health improvement. In addition, four legislators representing the majority and minority in both the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate will be appointed to the task force to serve as ex-officio members.

Task force members will be appointed to serve for two years. Interested candidates should apply through the open appointments process facilitated by the Minnesota Secretary of State on or before September 27, 2011. Appointments are expected to be made in early October 2011. The task force will also hold its first meeting in October.