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Healthcare Access Reform
In December, I had the opportunity to participate in the Minnesota State of Reform Health Policy Conference. I joined health industry leaders to discuss priorities for this session, such as racial and Tribal health disparities, youth behavioral health, the underfunding of health education, and medical debt– which is the leading cause of bankruptcy in our country. I recently joined Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and impacted Minnesotans to discuss our work to get unconscionable practices under control. I also spoke with the Star Tribune’s editorial board about this critical issue.
This session, I will be looking critically at the issue of medical debt, as well as these other issues. Health care is a human right and you should be able to get the care you need without being bankrupted. This year, I will be carrying HF 3663, which will prevent medical debt from being transferred to surviving family members, and prevent health care providers from denying coverage to those with outstanding medical bills.
Murdered & Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance
On Wednesday we honored Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance. Our colleagues in the Native American Legislative Caucus took a moment to reflect on this day, its importance, and held a moment of silence. You can watch their remarks here.
For more information, I encourage you to check out the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, a first-in-the-nation office we established in 2021.
Now available: MMIR specialty license plates. Fees paid by drivers who obtain a plate will be put into the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag reward fund. To order license plates online or find an office to purchase them in-person, visit drive.mn.gov.
Insulin Prices Capped
Democrats are dedicated to reducing the cost of health care and protecting against price-gouging. Earlier this month, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a landmark settlement with the Eli Lily insulin company that caps insulin at just $35 for the next 5 years.
Drug companies raised the price of insulin by over 1,100% between 1990 and 2020, and this settlement ensures that Minnesotans can afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.
You can learn more about the settlement and how to get insulin for just $35 a month here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/MNinsulin35/.
Child Tax Credit
In 2023, Democrats enacted a nation-leading Child Tax Credit projected to reduce childhood poverty by one third. Families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent, with no limit on the number of children. Nearly 300,000 families are eligible for the new credit, but in order to receive it, you must file a 2023 income tax return. Learn more here from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
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