Dayton, Daudt Meet To Discuss MNsure Issues As Enrollment Starts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- It is the first day of open enrollment for Minnesotans in the individual health care market.

Gov. Mark Dayton met with state Republican leaders Tuesday morning to discuss problems with the system. As of late Tuesday morning, there is still no short-term resolution for rising health insurance premiums.

Dayton met with Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt for about an hour and a half. They met to discuss the caps from insurance companies in order to make sure all families will find access to health care.

Both leaders said it was a productive meeting.

Following Tuesday's closed door meeting, Dayton said he will make sure all people purchasing insurance through the individual market will be able to despite enrollment caps. There are currently five counties in central Minnesota that do not have access to an uncapped insurance program.

Tuesday's meeting comes after Dayton made national headlines last month for publicly calling the affordable health care act too expensive due to skyrocketing premiums. He urged lawmakers to come up with a temporary solution by today, Nov. 1.

But Republicans were also focused on the concern regarding enrollment caps. Daudt agreed with Dayton that it was a productive meeting, but he did say he was more skeptical that families won't have a problem with enrollment caps.

"I'm optimistic that everybody who seeks coverage will get coverage," Dayton said.

"I shared with him that I don't have complete faith that everyone in those five counties is going to have coverage. And I believe that that absolutely must be top priority, making sure that every Minnesotan who wants health insurance has the ability to purchase a health insurance policy," Daudt said.

Individual market insurance affects about five percent of Minnesotans.

Dayton said there have been around 13,000 applications, and 2,000 applications completed for MNsure so far.

So how does Dayton plan to avoid Minnesotans being turned away from enrollment caps?

His answer was vague. Leaders said they don't think enrollment caps will be an issue. The state commerce commissioner will be monitoring enrollment numbers twice a week and also keeping in contact with insurance companies.

It affects only people living in five counties: Stearns, Benton, Morris, Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties.