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State Representative Tina Liebling
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0573
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
NEWS COLUMN
Listening Sessions Tell Me About What Rochester Needs
I have spent the last month at coffee shops, senior centers, and schools visiting with Rochester residents to hear your questions, concerns, and suggestions for the 2006 Legislative Session. Thanks to everyone who took time to visit with me. As always, I came away impressed with the thoughtfulness and community spirit of the people I work for--you. Visiting with constituents is my favorite part of this job.
Some people were surprised it was so easy to stop in and chat. Meeting with constituents is always a high priority for me. I will do my best to stay available while the legislature is in session.
I found that many people are worried about health care. Even here, in the shadow of the Mayo Clinic, we worry about the rising cost of health care, how to get the care we need, and how to make sure our care is of high quality. State government must confront these issues, too.
Rep. Andy Welti and I recently hosted a small business town meeting to learn more about the health care challenges facing small employers. We heard from small business owners who want to provide health insurance for their employees but can't afford the high cost. These business owners work side by side with their uninsured employees. Often they have no coverage for themselves, either. Because they can’t afford to offer health insurance they have a tough time competing for employees against the larger businesses who can.
Providing health insurance for everyone is one of the moral imperatives of our time. People who don’t have health insurance have more illnesses and die younger than those who do, even when all else is equal. Our division into medical "haves" and "have-nots" is hurting us as a state and nation. We should not ask "Can we do it," but "How can we get it done?" I believe that if everyone had health insurance health care costs would be lower and Minnesota would have a more competitive business climate.
I am again supporting legislation to allow small businesses to purchase coverage for their employees and individuals to purchase their own coverage under the MinnesotaCare program. The state would not pay for this coverage, but buying into MinnesotaCare is likely to be cheaper than what's currently available to small businesses. This would not cover all uninsured people, but would be an important step toward coverage for all Minnesotans. The problem is too big and too complex for government to wash its hands and say, "Let the private sector do it."
Representative Bradley and Senator Kiscaden, Rochester’s health policy experts in the Legislature, are retiring after this year. Rochester, because of the importance of health care to its economy, needs a representative who knows a lot about and spends much of her time on health issues. Because of my background and the needs of my district, I will focus on developing my expertise in health policy. In the 2007 legislative session I will seek appointment to the House health care committees.
Our health care problems are not simple and they will not be solved overnight. We will need to work together to find solutions. The best ideas at the Legislature come from people outside the political process. Thanks to those of you who have shared your thoughts with me over the last month, and for the good ideas you will bring in the future. During the legislative session you can make an appointment to meet with me at the State Capitol in St. Paul or during my weekend visits home. You can contact me by mail at: 393 State Office Building, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155; call me toll free at (800) 339-9038 or in Rochester at (507) 289-4664; or send me an e-mail at rep.tina.liebling@house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Tina Liebling Named Chair of House Health and Human Services Policy Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Statement on DEED Bonding Project Announcement - (Posted: 2012-09-13 00:00:00)
- Local Legislators to Hold Town Hall Meeting - (Posted: 2012-07-19 00:00:00)
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