Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says the Affordable Care Act is "no longer affordable."
Dayton, a Democrat who signed the state law allowing Obamacare to go forward in his state, reversed course Wednesday, telling the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, “Ultimately ... the reality is the Affordable Care Act is no longer affordable for an increasing number of people."
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The damning admission comes just one month after the Pioneer Press reported that the state's individual insurance market was "in danger of collapse," as insurance companies on the individual market announced they would hike premiums anywhere from 50 to 67 percent.
“These rising insurance rates are unsustainable and unfair. This is a real emergency situation," Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman said at the time.
“These are middle-class Minnesotans. They are getting squeezed — crushed — by these health insurance costs," Rothman added.
Dayton called the soaring costs a "very serious problem" and said there are "a number of things that need to be done," perhaps including the federal government giving bigger tax credits. He also suggested the state legislature should meet for a special session to address the problem, but not until after the November election.
Dayton's current term ends in January 2019. Minnesota has no term limit for its governor, according to Ballotpedia.
