Change To Health Law Has Unclear Minnesota Impact

ST. PAUL (AP) - The state Department of Commerce says it's not immediately clear how a revision to the federal health law will play out in Minnesota.

President Barack Obama announced Thursday that insurance companies could keep offering consumers plans that were to be canceled for at least the next year. It's in response to recent criticism from people experiencing cancellations or major changes to existing insurance policies based on the new law.

In Minnesota, insurance companies aren't allowed to cancel plans outright. But insurance companies have sent notices to at least 140,000 people saying their existing policy could be altered.

A statement from the Department of Commerce, which regulates Minnesota insurance companies, says agency leaders are working with state and federal officials to figure out how Obama's announcement will affect Minnesota.