FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. PAUL, Minn..—"MNsure welcomes this news and the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act to increase access to quality, comprehensive health coverage. As the nation continues to fight the deadliest pandemic in a century, the changes President Biden is making will benefit Minnesotans who need the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have health care coverage.

"President Biden’s executive order directs federal agencies to look at ways to protect and strengthen access to health insurance and increase protections for those who have preexisting conditions, including complications related to COVID-19.

"Too many Minnesotans still don’t know that the average Minnesota household was able to save nearly $5,000 on their health insurance premium bills last year, due to /financial-help/tax-credits/index.jsptax credits that are only available when purchasing coverage through MNsure. And, many uninsured Minnesotans don’t know they may qualify for low- or no-cost health insurance through /financial-help/ma-mncare/index.jspMinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. For so many Minnesotans, those tax credits or low-cost health insurance options make what initially seemed unaffordable suddenly affordable. But we do need more federal help to get the word out about the financial benefits of accessing health insurance through MNsure. The Biden administration’s plans to increase public awareness are a welcome and important sign that the federal government is renewing its support for access to comprehensive health care coverage.

"We are excited that the Biden administration intends to strengthen the ACA and re-open the federal exchange for uninsured Americans who rely on HealthCare.gov to purchase health insurance. We are working in partnership with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth path forward for uninsured Minnesotans looking to enroll in comprehensive health coverage. We will share more about MNsure’s plans for a special enrollment period in the coming days."

MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace where individuals and families can shop, compare and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. MNsure is the only place you can apply for financial help to lower the cost of your monthly insurance premium and out-of-pocket costs. Most Minnesotans who enroll through MNsure qualify for financial help.