FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-In an effort to raise awareness to residents about the upcoming health insurance open enrollment deadline, Mayors Betsy Hodges of Minneapolis, Chris Coleman of Saint Paul and Don Ness of Duluth have proclaimed Friday, March 28, as "MNsure Day" in their respective cities.

"Ensuring the health and wellbeing of residents is an important job of local city governments," said MNsure interim CEO Scott Leitz. "We are happy these three mayors have made health a priority and are working to inform all their residents about their health insurance options."

"We're happy to spread the word about MNsure any way we can, especially as the open enrollment deadline nears," said Mayor Chris Coleman. "Healthy residents create a healthier community and that's something we always strive for."

More than 148,000 Minnesotans have already obtained quality, affordable health insurance coverage through MNsure—many for the first time ever.

Monday, March 31, is the final deadline to make plan selection and payment for coverage starting May 1, 2014. This is the last day to enroll in health insurance inside or outside of MNsure for coverage in 2014. Consumers who do not enroll in coverage by March 31 may also have to pay a tax penalty. The next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014.

This deadline does not apply to Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare recipients or participants in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).

The MNsure Day Proclamation language is as follows:

WHEREAS, MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace offering comprehensive, affordable health insurance options to the people of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, Kaiser Health News named Minnesota and MNsure as home to the lowest health insurance rates in the nation; and

WHEREAS, effort has been made to reach out to all residents of these cities from all backgrounds and cultural surroundings; and

WHEREAS, more than 145,000 Minnesotans have already enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage, many for the first time; and

WHEREAS, access to Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare has been expanded through MNsure, giving more people access to affordable coverage; and

WHEREAS, the end of open enrollment is March 31 for 2014 coverage, and you will not be able to purchase health insurance after this date unless of a qualifying life event; and

WHEREAS, Friday, March 28 begins the final weekend push for Minnesotans to obtain quality, affordable health coverage;

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, BETSY HODGES, Mayor of the City of Minneapolis and CHRIS COLEMAN, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul and DON NESS, Mayor of the city of Duluth do hereby jointly proclaim March 28, 2014 as:

MNSURE DAY IN THE CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS, SAINT PAUL AND DULUTH.