This article is written by guest contributor Lin Nelson, vice president of public affairs at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

On February 12, state senators and representatives from across Minnesota convened at the Capitol in St. Paul for the start of the 2024 legislative session.

Throughout the scheduled 14-weeks of lawmaking, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will take a careful look at all healthcare-related proposals and ask the same basic question: If passed, would this bill help to ensure that high-quality care is affordable and accessible for the greatest number of people?

This foundational approach informs the work of the Blue Cross Public Affairs team. My colleagues and I collaborate with multiple stakeholders and community partners to advocate for initiatives that advance better health for all Minnesotans. Our history of support includes supporting universal school meals, expanded Medicaid dental coverage and access to doula services, and tobacco use prevention.

Blue Cross priorities for the current legislative session include:

Premium stability

Minnesota’s individual market for health coverage continues to provide consistent and affordable options for hundreds of thousands of people every year – due in large part to our state-based reinsurance program.

Since 2018, Minnesota’s state reinsurance program has helped to offset overall insurance costs by paying for unusually expensive claims. As a result, the reinsurance program keeps all rates in the individual market about 20% lower than where they would be if premiums were priced to cover all anticipated medical costs.

The state reinsurance program is set to expire at the end of 2025, at the same time expanded federal premium and cost-sharing subsidies are set to expire. The combination of which will result in a significant increase for individuals and families needing health care coverage. If not renewed, the most expensive care will need to be reflected in premiums paid for by individuals – and ending the progress many worked to achieve in strengthening our state’s individual heath insurance market and MNsure exchange.

Blue Cross strongly believes that reinsurance funding should continue into 2026 and beyond.

Addressing the cost of care

Health insurance premiums are a direct reflection of the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs. We continue to remind lawmakers why it is important to ensure health plans retain the flexibility to use tools such as provider networks, prior authorization, and care management to drive greater affordability for our members.

Advocating for the value of managed care

Blue Cross supports the managed care model for administering Medicaid benefits. In addition to providing budget predictability for the state, utilizing private managed care organizations like our Blue Plus HMO also offer a higher level of care coordination and better outcomes for Medicaid enrollees. Our mission and values as a nonprofit health plan align with meeting the needs of public program members through access to high-quality care, innovation, and community engagement.

Ensuring fair competition

Blue Cross believes all health plans – non-profits and for-profits – should operate and compete under the same set of state regulations in Minnesota. Aligning regulatory standards can create a more dynamic market and a “level playing field” that will work to increase consumer choice while making coverage more affordable.

Across our organization, in every plan, program and department, the commitment to ensure our members have access to high quality, culturally informed and accessible care is at the center of everything we do. For the entire Public Affairs team at Blue Cross, it is a privilege to collaborate with stakeholders across the state on important issues that impact the health of all Minnesotans.