Rep. Ben Bakeberg bill to expand local control and manage healthcare costs passes House

St. Paul  — Legislation authored by Rep. Ben Bakeberg (R-Jordan), HF 3571, to give towns and watershed districts more flexibility in managing employee health benefits passed the Minnesota House today.

The bill allows these local entities to self-insure, providing an option already available to cities, counties, and school districts.

“This is about giving local governments more control and another tool to manage rising healthcare costs,” said Bakeberg. “When local costs go up, taxpayers feel it. This helps communities take a more active role in keeping those costs in check.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.