Two new bills are making their way through the Minnesota House, one to provide protections to veterans, and another targeting health insurers. Here's a rundown:
A Minnesota House committee is hearing a bill that would prohibit health insurance providers from dropping medication coverage in the middle of a plan year.
Several insurance industry representatives testified against the idea saying sometimes changes in coverage can't be avoided.
DFL Representative Tina Liebling (DFL- Rocherster) says it's a tired argument.
"We have been hashing around this problem for a really long time, and there's always some reason that the industry comes up here and tells us, 'oh, that just doesn't work, oh, that's not fair to us.' Baloney." says Liebling.
The measure is part of a package of health care policy bills. The others would require pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers to include lower-cost drug options in their offerings, and would require them to accept prescription drug rebates.
Elliot Boutay testified on behalf of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Minnesota.
"People with mental illnesses often find it takes several trials of different medications to find the ones that work, and once you find what works, you don't want to make changes," Boutay explains.
Veteran Protections
Another bill introduced Wednesday in the Minnesota House looks to give veterans more protections when trying to receive their benefits.
DFL Representative Emma Greenman (Minneapolis) says an accreditation requirement would protect veterans from losing their benefits to claim sharks and fraudsters.
"With one of these claimsharks, the only person on the hook for that is the veteran, even if maybe they didn't know that was happening, right? But in this case, if you have someone who's accredited, they have the same duties and fiduciary duties, to that veteran and so they're on the hook too and that's really important," says Greenman.
Those providing veteran services would in exchange for compensation would also be barred from guaranteeing benefits.
Dr. Kristy Janigo is the legislative chair for both the American Legion Department of Minnesota and Minnesota Association of County Veterans.
"States such as New Jersey, New York, and Maine have passed laws to curb fraudulent activity on veteran benefits matters," Janigo explains. "We would love for Minnesota to be the fourth state, and it makes sense for a state that has long prided itself on strong consumer protection for seniors, vulnerable adults, and veterans."
As part of the bill, accreditation requirements would be created for businesses and organizations requiring payment when providing veterans benefits in the