40 Square Cooperative Solutions proposed a bill in late in February through the Minnesota Legislature that would curb health care fees and fund an education and marketing plan for the organization and its members.

The onetime appropriation would grant $3 million in funding from the Department of Commerce in fiscal year 2024 toward increasing enrollment and lowering rates through the reduction of the health plan’s stop-loss costs. The bill also seeks $1.5 million to help fund marketing and education awareness.

“The bill we support would help lower health care fees for our existing members, as well as attracting more participants into our health plan,” 40 Square Chair Cole Trebesch said. “Ultimately, we want to stay competitive in the marketplace, and this legislation would achieve that goal.”

Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL-St. Peter) authored the House bill, while Sen. Robert Kupec (Moorhead) is sponsoring the Senate Bill. The bill was referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.

In the coming weeks, 40 Square directors hope to testify in front of the committee and engage with House and Senate leaders to further discuss why this bill would help bolster the health plan and expand health plan options to Minnesota’s agriculture community.

“We are eager to meet with legislative leaders and tell our story,” Executive Director Amanda Beavens said.

The legislative session runs through May 22.

40 Square was created following multiple appropriations and formed as a MN State Statute cooperative in November 2009. In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill that allowed 40 Square to come to market. The organization is now in its sixth year of offering a variety of health plan options to Minnesota farm families, agribusinesses – and their families – along with ag trade associations and cooperatives.