Purpose

• To require the commissioner of commerce to seek continued authorization from the federal government to support the Minnesota premium security plan (MPSP) by applying for a continuation of the state innovation waiver.
• The goal is to maximize federal funding for the MPSP for benefit years starting January 1, 2028 and in later years.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Waiver application submission:
  • The commissioner of commerce must apply to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. 18052 to continue the state innovation waiver that was previously granted to implement the Minnesota premium security plan (MPSP) under Minnesota Statutes section 62E.23.
  • This continuation applies to benefit years beginning January 1, 2028 and future years, with the aim of maximizing federal funding.
  • The application must be submitted by December 31, 2026.
  • The waiver application must clearly state that operating the MPSP after the 2027 benefit year depends on the waiver’s approval.
  • The commissioner must reapply as needed to continue operating the MPSP under section 62E.23.
• Subdivision 2 — Notification:
  • The commissioner must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health, human services, and insurance, as well as the board of directors of the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association, about the intent to submit the waiver application and any federal actions related to the waiver request.

Timeline and Deadlines

• December 31, 2026: Deadline for submitting the waiver continuation application to the federal government.
• January 1, 2028 and beyond: Beneficiary years affected by the continuation waiver.
• Ongoing: The commissioner must reapply as necessary to maintain the waiver and MPSP operations.

Affected Parties

• Commissioner of commerce (responsible for submitting the waiver and communicating with stakeholders).
• Legislative chairs and ranking minority members on health, human services, and insurance committees.
• Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (GH) board of directors.
• Beneficiaries and providers under the Minnesota premium security plan.

Implications / What Changes if Passed

• Establishes a formal, time-bound process to obtain federal continuation of the state innovation waiver for the MPSP.
• Ties ongoing MPSP operation to the federal waiver approval, creating a contingency that operations after 2027 depend on federal action.
• Adds explicit notification requirements to key lawmakers and the CHA Board to ensure transparency and awareness of the waiver process.

Definitions and Context (from bill text)

• Minnesota premium security plan (MPSP)
• State innovation waiver
• Minnesota Statutes chapter 62E and section 62E.23
• Section 62E.231 (continuation of the state innovation waiver)
• 42 U.S.C. 18052 (federal waiver authority)
• Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
• Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association

Relevant Terms - Minnesota premium security plan - state innovation waiver - Minnesota Statutes chapter 62E - section 62E.23 - 62E.231 - 42 U.S.C. 18052 - Secretary of Health and Human Services - benefit years - federal funding - waiver continuation - commissioner of commerce - Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association - chairs and ranking minority members - health, human services, insurance committees