In the Media: Lynn Blewett Talks Health Insurance in Minnesota

Lynn A. Blewett, Principal Investigator

September 14, 2016

SHADAC principal investigator Lynn Blewett was quoted in two recent articles by the StarTribune, commenting on insurance gains and characteristics of uninsurance in Minnesota.

In an article published on September 13th, reporter Glen Howatt explains that uninsurance in Minnesota decreased between 2013 and 2015, reaching 4.5 percent in 2015. While this uninsured rate is the fifth-lowest in the U.S., an estimated 244,000 Minnesotans remained uninsured in 2015. In the article, Dr. Blewett offers insight about the characteristics of the uninsured in Minnesota and also points out that the state of Minnesota is currently thinking about how to target its remaining uninsured population.

In a September 9th opinion piece, “Health Insurance Price Hikes are Daunting, But State Can Rise to Challenge,” the Star Tribune Editorial Board highlights insurance rate hikes as a pressing issue and calls for a continuation of Minnesota’s history of “finding solutions to complex health care challenges.” The authors invoke Dr. Blewett's summary of the problem: "How to insure the uninsurable." They note that some would like to revive Minnesota's now-defunct high risk health insurance pool program--the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association, or MCHA--but they point out that the MCHA wasn't perfect, citing Dr. Blewett's 2011 research finding that some less healthy enrollees were leaving due to high costs. The article goes on to explore the benefits of ACA protection, the existing weaknesses of MN’s individual market, and possible solutions to bring relief from high rates.