Update from Rep. Peppin

Dear Neighbors,

1) Minnesota’s Obamacare under scrutiny after security breaches

2) Childcare provider unionization on hold

3) USS Minnesota joins Navy fleet

1) Minnesota’s Obamacare under scrutiny after security breaches

When the Dayton Administration went full steam ahead this year to build a third of a billion dollar state-run universal health care Obamacare agency (MNsure), those of us in favor of a smarter, more efficient government asked three critical questions:

· PRIVACY: Will Minnesotans’ personal health care information be kept private?

· COST: Will Minnesotans have to pay more?

· CHOICE: Will Minnesotans be able to keep their doctor?

MNsure’s online website to sell health insurance is set to go into effect October 1, and even before one plan has been sold, here is what we know:

PRIVACY

Last week it was discovered that a MNsure employee emailed the personal data, including social security numbers, of 2,400 Minnesotans to an Apple Valley insurance broker. Had this information fallen into the wrong hands, those folks would have been at risk of identity theft and fraud.

Minnesota Legislative Auditor James Nobles has expressed some very candid concerns about the manner in which MNsure is being implemented. Watch his interview here on KSTP.

COST

When compared side-by-side to the current private market options, MNsure rates are higher. This means that many hardworking Minnesotans will be forced to pay more for health insurance than they do today.

Thus far, the Dayton Administration has spent nearly $150 million taxpayer dollars on MNsure, but not one penny has been spent on actual health care like pediatric check-ups for kids, preventative screenings for women, or prescriptions for the elderly.

While it is expected there will be start-up costs associated with any new government program, this level of expenditure is especially noteworthy. Taxpayers deserve better when state government is entrusted with hundreds of millions to roll out a new program.

CHOICE

There is no guarantee that Minnesotans will be able to keep their doctor if they enroll through MNsure. For example, many labor union members have come forward with concerns that Obamacare could substantially and negatively impact their health benefits.

With implementation a week away, we have to question whether or not MNsure is ready for prime time.

2) Childcare provider unionization on hold

A federal appeals court moved last week to put a temporary hold (or “injunction”) on the statewide election to unionize private childcare providers. Many of these small business owners, as well as hardworking parents who depend on access to affordable, quality care for their children, have expressed relief that the threat of forced childcare unionization is on hold.

You may remember back to this spring when Democratic legislators passed and Gov. Dayton signed a law that would allow for an election to unionize private, in-home childcare providers.

The push to unionize met resistance all over the state—from providers themselves, to editorial boards, to the general public. The concern was that, if unions entered into the relationship between a private provider and the families they serve, union dues would cause already expensive rates to increase. This, in turn, would result in fewer choices for parents.

For now, the election is on hold and the appeals court will make a decision once the U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear an appeal on a related case dealing with the unionization of home-care workers in Illinois.

3) USS Minnesota joins Navy fleet

Did you know that the third-ever ship to be named after our state was commissioned into service earlier this month? Click here to learn more about the USS Minnesota and my colleagues' trip to tour and send off the Navy's newest and most advanced attack submarine!

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During the fall months, I welcome your continued comments and questions. I am here to serve the people and priorities of Rogers, Dayton, and Maple Grove.

Have a great week!

Joyce

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A