Exchange Becomes Reality; Search is On for Board Members
Date: 21-03-2013
[MMA News Now, March 21, 2013] With Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature on March 20, a Minnesota-based health insurance exchange became a reality. Wasting no time, the secretary of state put a call out for applications for the governance board the next day.
The legislation passed largely along party lines, with all Republican opposed. The Senate approved the bill on March 18 with a vote of 39-28. This followed the House’s approval,72-61, on March 15.
“We’re glad to see this move forward,” said Eric Dick, MMA’s manager of state and legislative affairs. “The MMA has long supported a state-based exchange rather than having a one-size-fits-all federal exchange imposed upon the state. We believe that the new law will capitalize on Minnesota's expertise and reflect our unique health care landscape."
Now, the governor and his staff will compile a board to oversee the exchange, which will launch online this October. Per the conflict of interest provisions in the bill, physicians who are interested in serving on the exchange board must be affiliated with an academic institution. Visit the Secretary of State’s website for additional requirements and instructions.
The exchange is expected to serve up to 1.3 million Minnesotans.
Minnesota is one of 17 states plus the District of Columbia that will run their own exchanges.
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