As costs rise, Minnesota faces a health care crossroads

Minnesotans are confronting a hard truth this fall: Health insurance premiums are climbing by double digits across the individual and small-group markets. For families already grappling with inflation and economic uncertainty, this is more than a budget inconvenience; it is wake-up call about the sustainability of our health care system.

When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, the goal was to make health care more accessible, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and bring down costs. While it succeeded in some ways, especially in states like Minnesota that embraced its framework early, it also came with challenges. Through MNsure, our state-based exchange, thousands gained coverage, federal subsidies helped make premiums more affordable and Medicaid expansion b