Health insurance companies in Minnesota push against extending old health plans

It's been a confusing few weeks for the more than 140,000 Minnesotans whose health insurance doesn't meet the standards of the nation's new health care law.

Earlier this fall, many got notice they will have to pay more for new plans that do comply with the law. Then last week President Barack Obama offered to let Americans keep their old plans for another year. But now Gov. Mark Dayton has decided Minnesotans will not have that option.

The decision is up to individual states, which regulate their own insurance markets. Health plans here in Minnesota convinced the governor it would be too difficult -- and expensive -- for them to offer the old plans again with only a few weeks left in the year.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Julie Brunner, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, which represents insurance companies that do business in the state.

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