I did read it. Doesn’t say. Did you read it?
"The premiums are so low that some people at higher income levels and some in lower age groups -- they don't qualify for the tax credit," Todd-Malmlov said in an interview.
"But they still are getting coverage that is more affordable than what they would get in other states."
The tax credit discussion came during a meeting in which MNsure's directors officially set at 1.5 percent the amount of premiums the state agency will "withhold" from all health insurance policies sold through the exchange.
Republicans promptly dubbed the assessment a "premium tax," saying it was too high for what consumers are getting.
In low-premium regions like much of Minnesota, some consumers are finding that their benchmark premium is lower than the affordability cap. So, they don't need a tax credit to get affordable coverage.
A second factor is Minnesota's decision to expand the Medicaid health insurance program and maintain MinnesotaCare, a state-run program that provides coverage for people with slightly higher income than those who qualify for Medicaid. The programs will catch Minnesotans with incomes below roughly $23,000.
In both cases, Minnesota's decision means that those consumers will be covered through a government program. In other states, they will be tapping tax credits applied against the cost of a policy purchased on a health exchange.
Expanding Medicaid parameters means pushing more people into Medicaid, which is inferior healthcare. 40% of doctors don't accept Medicaid patients now because the reimbursement rate is too low to cover expenses.
Low premiums are possible at the expense of those covered. Fewer subsidies and more people driven into inferior healthcare.