Planned Parenthood Advocate

New Minnesota health care exchange signed into law

Governor Dayton signed into law the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace Act on Wednesday, creating a new health insurance marketplace increasing accessibility for Minnesota women and families.

Nearly 1.3 million Minnesotans, including 300,000 currently uninsured, will benefit from the passage of this law. According the Health Reform Minnesota website, that’s 1 in 5 Minnesotans.

Health insurance will be available online through a consumer-oriented marketplace called MNsure, beginning in 2014. Consumers can enroll in the exchange starting in October.

A key element in implementing President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, the health insurance exchange bill passed in the Senate Monday and in the House last week.

Policies in the Minnesota marketplace will be required to cover comprehensive women's preventive health services with no co-pays. Women will have increased access to life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, and Pap tests.  

The bill remained contentious through House and Senate proceedings, particularly concerning an amendment that would prohibit health care plans in the exchange from providing abortion coverage. After passing in the House, the amendment was ultimately cut from the final version of the bill.

The marketplace will be run by a seven-member governor-appointed board. Gov. Dayton has until April 30th to appoint board members, which already includes Health and Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson.

 

For more info, check out: 

The MNsure website

MPR's Daily Circuit reporting on the Minnesota health insurance exchange

 

- by Shieva, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Feb. 20 is Pro-Choice Lobby Day and You're Invited!

On February 20, Minnesotans will join in solidarity at the state capitol for Pro-Choice Lobby Day. Supporters will rally together and meet with legislators to ensure that women’s healthcare remains a priority for a healthy Minnesota.

And this year’s lobby day could not be more critical, as the 2013 legislature will design the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchange – the online marketplace where consumers can shop for health insurance. The Minnesota Insurance Marketplace Act was introduced in early January and must be completely hammered out and signed by Governor Mark Dayton by the end of March.

February 20 marks the day where Minnesotans join the discussion. Under the healthcare exchange, thousands of people who are currently without health insurance will be able to shop around for a plan that’s best for them. It is imperative that supporters of women’s health ensure that every aspect of their healthcare is included in the exchange, from well woman visits and cancer screenings to contraception coverage and abortion care.

Pro-Choice Lobby Day will feature a Lobby 101 exercise, where you’ll get a quick training from an experienced Lobby Coach on what it’s like to visit with your representatives. After which, you’ll be invited to attend brief educational breakout sessions designed to inform you on a specific issue, give you a new perspective, and help develop the skills to talk about women’s reproductive rights with the people around you.

But remember, you do not need to be an experienced lobbyist, great public speaker or healthcare professional to attend this event or to have your voice heard. Pro-Choice Lobby Day is all about sharing your thoughts with your legislator and learning how the legislative process works.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required, so do so here.

- by Austin, Public Affairs Intern, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

 

Remind Minnesota legislators about the importance of women's health this legislative session

This week marks the beginning of Minnesota’s 2013 legislative session. It is a critical time for our state on a multitude of issues, and we wish our elected leadership nothing but the best as they lead the state forward.

With so many essential issues to deal with - the estimated budget deficit, the borrowed money from schools, marriage equality- we cannot let them forget how important access to health care is for the women of Minnesota, especially how the state will administer President Obama’s signature legislation: the Affordable Care Act and the health care exchanges permitted by the legislation.

With so much at stake this session – and with anti women’s health politicians and organizations always looking to restrict access to women’s health care - we’re asking that you take action today.

Please click here to send an email to your elected officials asking them to support Planned Parenthood’s efforts to ensure all women, regardless of income, will have timely access to confidential, affordable and high-quality reproductive health care!

>Contact your legislators today!

Thank you for standing with Planned Parenthood and the Affordable Care Act!

Planned Parenthood: Obama Reelection, Minnesota Triumphs Are ‘Resounding Victory For Women, By Women’

President Obama’s reelection – and the state-level successes in Minnesota – are a historic victory for women’s health, according to the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund (PPMNSAF).

“This is a resounding victory for women – and by women. More than ever before, women’s health was a decisive issue in this election. Minnesotans voted to ensure that women will have access to affordable health care and be able to make their own medical decisions,” said Sarah Stoesz, President of the PPMNSAF.

Minnesota Same-Day Voter Registration Information - It’s Not Too Late!

All the discussion about voter registration and voter ID laws can be confusing. The Minnesota deadline to pre-register to vote was October 16. It’s not too late to register to vote. Minnesota allows voters to use same-day registration to vote. According to the MN Secretary of State, over 500,000 people used same-day registration in 2008. In fact, around 61% of voters in Minnesota have used same-day registration at some point.

Minnesota allows voters to register on Election Day at their polling place. Same-day registration isn’t just for new voters. If you were previously registered to vote but have moved, changed your name or have not voted for four consecutive years you will need to use same day registration. Also, if you received a notice of late registration from your county auditor or city clerk you will need to use same day registration. Minnesota provides a helpful voter registration lookup to check your registration.

Find out if you're registered here. 

If you need to use same day registration, you will need to provide proof of residence. There are a variety of ways through which you can do so.

Here's what to bring.

In addition, if you live in a nursing home, veterans home, group housing, homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter, or transitional housing you can still register to vote! An employee of the facility you live in can vouch for your residency through a written form.

Are you worried about getting to the polls? For some facilities (like nursing homes) the law allows you to designate someone to bring you a ballot. You will need to fill out a request form and the links are provided below.

Residential Facility Registration

Residential Facility Voting

So what’s all this about voter ID? The ballot for the 2012 election will include a proposed amendment to change the Minnesota Constitution. Voters will decide whether to change the constitution or to leave the constitution the way it currently is. Voting registration and procedures will remain the same for the 2012 election. However, if passed, these changes would severely impact future elections, including ending same-day voter registration. It would change how you vote, who can vote, and increase the financial cost of elections.

Voter Restriction Amendment Impact On Future Elections