Post-Election Special Session Talks to Address Rising Health Care Premiums

Daudt and Dayton met Tuesday to discuss options

Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders have now set their sights on a post-election special session to address rising health care premiums.

It is now unclear, after Dayton and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt met Tuesday morning, whether the pair agreed on how to offset massive rate increases. Premium for plans sold on the individual market and are going up between 50 percent and 67 percent for next year.

Dayton has suggested a directed rebate to offset those hikes. Daudt says Republicans agree financial help is needed but haven’t decided how that assistance should be structured.

Teams of lawmakers will begin meeting to draft legislation with the goal of a special session after Election Day.

Minnesota residents got their first glimpse at the rate hikes as open enrollment began Tuesday.