Frustration over rising MNsure costs builds, GOP looks for answers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Republicans have been criticizing Obamacare for a long time now, but now they have even more momentum after Minnesota's Democratic governor also weighed in.

Governor Dayton this week said the Affordable Health Care Act is no longer affordable and now the GOP is on a mission to fix it.

The stories of Minnesotans using MNsure were stunning.

“We're probably looking at a good $2000 dollars a month for the three of us,” said Jill Fassbender of Rochester.

They explained how they are unsure how they'll afford insurance. Some said they were unsure if they'll even get it.

“We put two kids through college, we've saved for retirement and now we're expected to spend our retirement money on insurance premiums,” said Francine Gersh of Golden Valley.
“We had to sit down and have a long talk about did it make sense to keep health insurance at this point,” said Brian Freeman of Woodbury.

“This expense will be more than any other household expense we have, it's going to exceed our mortgage,” said Fassbender.

MNsure rate increases announced last week ranged between 50 and 67 percent because fewer insurers are in the exchange. Those that dropped say the high risk people in the pool simply cost too much.

“We didn't come here to place blame,” said Kurt Daudt.

Daudt held four listening sessions over the past three days, saying the stories are to highlight the urgency to act quickly.

An urgency - encouraged as Governor Dayton said this week that affordable healthcare is no longer affordable for many Minnesotans.

Dayton said Thursday a special session for any overhaul would still need to wait until campaigning is over to avoid playing politics.

Daudt hopes for a session right after the election because it'll take time to fix and there's little time left.

“Like I said, I've done everything right, I've played by the book, and I've paid my taxes. I need to have access to affordable health care,” said Francine Gersh, of Golden Valley.