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Dear Neighbors,

Spring is here, and Friday marks the House’s “first deadline week,” which means that we are entering the phase of the legislative session where we see which bills will continue to advance through the legislative process. House leaders announced an agreement last weekend on committee finance targets for crafting a state budget for the next two years. 

This House agreement [ [link removed] ] calls for almost $1.16 billion in funding reductions to the General Fund. The work before us now is crafting a bipartisan budget framework that balances with the Senate budget targets [ [link removed] ] and the Governor’s budget recommendations [ [link removed] ], which have significant differences from the House’s. Given the current economic forecast indicating potential instability in future years, we must remain cautious given the impacts of federal tariffs, an uncertain stock market, and other federal cuts impacting services in Minnesota. A balanced budget approach is essential to safeguard critical services for Minnesotans, particularly those relying on Medicaid.

Hj1

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Rare Disease Advisory Council Day of Advocacy

One in ten Minnesotans is affected by rare diseases. Working together, we can ensure we are researching, diagnosing, treating, and educating. This week, I attended the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council’s (RDAC) Day of Advocacy at the Capitol, where I spoke and met with other rare disease advocates to learn more about the council's priorities and share specific policies.

Most states have a rare disease advisory council, but Minnesota is the only one that is a state agency. Its projects include an online continuing education series, patient advocacy listening sessions, and position papers on proposed legislation.

We’ve made great progress in passing laws like my rapid whole genome sequencing to provide families with answers in days instead of years, saving lives, reducing suffering, and lowering healthcare costs. Too many children and their families endure years of misdiagnoses and costly hospital stays before they get the answers they need. I’m committed to working with RDAC and our other partners to ensure families and patients get the treatment they need and deserve.

I recently sat down (virtually) with Dr. Charles Billington Jr., a pediatric geneticist, to discuss the effects of the bill, which you can view here [ [link removed] ].

Working together, we can ensure we are researching, diagnosing, treating, and educating.

ahj2

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Federal Cuts to MDH 

The Minnesota Department of Health announced last week [ [link removed] ] that the Trump administration is unilaterally rescinding $226 million in federal grants related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cuts amount to about 25% of MDH’s current budget, according to KARE-11 [ [link removed] ], and have resulted in the layoffs of around 200 employees. The actions are part of a broader nationwide effort to eliminate $11 billion in spending by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These cuts and layoffs are particularly troubling to me because our public health scientists are the frontline to keeping us safe and healthy, protecting us from foodborne illnesses, cold and flu season, and emerging diseases.

The recent federal funding cuts also raise serious concerns about healthcare access for all Minnesotans and may exacerbate existing medical care disparities across our state. These changes could potentially impact essential services, including COVID-19 testing capabilities, vaccination programs, and ongoing pandemic research initiatives. I am committed to pursuing solutions through collaboration, advocating for adequate public health funding, and supporting affected employees while ensuring our communities maintain access to vital health services during this challenging transition. 

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Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires

While President Trump and Congressional Republicans look to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthy by reducing federal funding for Medicaid, DFL legislators introduced legislation [ [link removed] ] that would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to this crucial program. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, serving senior citizens, children, families, and people with disabilities. 

A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee [ [link removed] ] found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage, 130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from their health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without additional revenue raised by Minnesota, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health in Minnesota, costing lives and doing harm.

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Keep in Touch

Your voice is important to me! You can contact me at [email protected], by phone at 651-296-7807, or follow along my Facebook [ [link removed] ] page, Instagram [ [link removed] ], or BlueSky [ [link removed] ]with your questions, concerns, or ideas for this session. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

State Representative






Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-7807
Email: [email protected] "(replies to this newsletter are not monitored)"
Website: www.house.mn.gov/47A [ [link removed] ]
Facebook: Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger [ [link removed] ]
Legislative Assistant: Boon Xiong, 651-296-2585







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