S.F. No. 3296 Summary

• Establishes Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange as nonprofit organization to provide individuals and small employers access to standardized health plans beginning January 1, 2012.

• Creates universal coverage mandate requiring all Minnesota residents to obtain qualifying health coverage by January 1, 2012, with guaranteed issue and community rating requirements effective July 1, 2012.

• Expands medical assistance eligibility to include adults without children earning up to 400% of federal poverty guidelines using affordability standards.

• Eliminates MinnesotaCare adult coverage effective July 1, 2012, limiting program to children while establishing accountable care organizations and regional payment reform with Medicare.

• Repeals Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association and related taxes, replacing with health care access fund financing for subsidies and universal coverage implementation.