FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-MNsure's executive director, April Todd-Malmlov, and MNsure Board Chair Brian Beutner today introduced two Minnesotans for whom MNsure has made enrolling in quality, comprehensive and affordable health coverage finally possible. The special guests at today's press conference represent two of the more than 10,900 people who have now enrolled through the state health insurance marketplace.

Mary DesCombaz discovered that she had a rare and serious medical condition in February of 2011, which required surgery and regular monitoring. Subsequent related medical issues made continuing her career as a lawyer impossible. Her family's health coverage at the time was a high-premium, high-deductible plan, and the regular doctor visits her treatment required meant the co-pays added up quickly. Earlier this year, Mary was told that her condition had recurred, and she is facing another surgery and follow-up MRIs twice a year. Mary visited MNsure.org as soon as the site was live to explore her options. She enrolled in a plan that covers 100 percent of office visits, testing, surgeries, hospital stays, prescriptions and more-and that will save her family nearly $10,000 next year.

Julie Peck is a small business owner who, for the last three years since opening her business, has been either underinsured or uninsured. Peck reached out to MNsure grantee Health Access MN, Inc., and worked with two of its MNsure-certified navigators, who answered her questions about MNsure and helped her with the enrollment process. Peck qualified for health coverage through MNsure and will have comprehensive, affordable health insurance beginning in 2014.

"We are deeply honored that Mary and Julie were willing to share their stories today," said Todd-Malmlov. "Our mission is to ensure all Minnesotans have the security of health insurance, and when we hear from real people that they will have the quality, affordable coverage that they need, it makes our work even more rewarding. The MNsure staff work long hours to make the marketplace better every day, and to be able to share Mary and Julie's stories brings it all back to why we are here-to serve Minnesotans."

"While the enrollment numbers steadily rise, reflecting how many Minnesotans are tapping into MNsure, at the end of the day it comes down to this: who did we help today?" said Beutner. "Both Mary and Julie represent the reasons I am proud to be part of the MNsure organization."

About MNsure 

Beginning January 1, 2014, all U.S. citizens and legal residents will be required to have health insurance coverage. For those Minnesotans who are uninsured, underinsured or looking for new coverage choices, MNsure is a one-stop health insurance marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses will be able to get quality health coverage at a fair price. MNsure will empower more than 1 million Minnesotans to compare, choose and get help finding health care coverage. It will facilitate enrollment in public and private health insurance, determine eligibility for premium tax credits and allow Minnesotans to shop and compare between health care coverage options.

Open enrollment through MNsure began October 1, 2013, and runs through March 31, 2014. For more information about MNsure, how it will benefit Minnesota consumers and businesses and how to provide input visit mnsure.org.