Senator Al Franken (D. MN) helped provide a key provision to the Affordable Health Care Act:
http://www.startribune.com/...
Checks will be going out to more than 8,000 Minnesotans and a number of businesses in the coming weeks in a rebate program established as part of federal health care reform.
The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar collected in premiums on medical care, as opposed to marketing, commissions, administration and profits. Insurers that fall under the mark must return the difference to consumers and businesses in a check or premium rebate.
Minnesota will get about $1.43 million back from two insurers, compared to $8.9 million last year, the first year the law’s requirement was in effect. Nationally, the amount of rebates dropped as well, with insurers paying out about $504 million, down from $1.1 billion the previous year.
“It’s working,” said U.S. Sen. Al Franken, who championed the provision that’s based on a Minnesota law passed in 1993. “Companies are meeting the [requirement] more, that’s why there are less rebates this year. People are saving the money up front … and companies are using the 80 or 85 percent of premiums on actual health care. Which is the point.” - Star Tribune, 7/12/13
Franken's health care provision even received a shout out from President Obama:
http://www.startribune.com/...
With his signature health care law under attack, President Obama used the White House podium Thursday to extol a provision authored by U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., that he said has already paid dividends to millions of Americans.
The so-called Medical Loss Ratio, has been credited with putting money back into the pockets of over 8.5 million Americans by requiring that health insurers spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on actual health services, as opposed to administrative overhead.
Obama said the provision has lowered premiums and provided rebates averaging $100 each. Much of that money, however, goes to employers who provide insurance. - Star Tribune, 7/18/13
Franken recently went on the Rachel Maddow Show to discuss his provision (which you can watch the whole interview in the video above), and he's making his accomplishment a big campaign issue in his bid for re-election:
Got a minute? Then click here:
https://mn.alfranken.com/...
Al was on Rachel Maddow’s show the other night, talking about his provision in health care reform that’s already saving Americans billions of dollars.
Oh, and Will Ferrell’s in the video, too -- you’ll see when you watch it.
It’s an important video because it highlights one of the many benefits of Obamacare that a lot of people don’t know about.
But it’s also important because it highlights the reason why my job rocks -- it’s Al at his best.
Click here to watch the video -- and then take action to help Al keep making progress (we’re almost at our $100,000 July goal with just 2 days to go!):
https://mn.alfranken.com/...
If we work hard to elect leaders like Al, we really can make a difference. We can bring down the cost of health care. We can hold insurance companies accountable. We can keep racking up more great accomplishments like the one Al talks about in the video.
So watch this clip, share it with your friends, and make sure to take action to help Al keep fighting for us!
https://mn.alfranken.com/...
Thanks,
Matt
Matt Burgess
Campaign Manager
TeamFranken
P.S.: We only have 2 days left until we hit our July fundraising deadline -- and we could really use YOUR help to hit our $100,000 goal. Please click here to take action today!
https://mn.alfranken.com/...
You can click here to watch the video and donate to Franken's campaign:
https://mn.alfranken.com/...