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State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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BLY HOSTS STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATIVE TOUR
3-Day legislative tour will unveil Minnesota Health Act
Rep. David Bly announced today that he will lead a statewide health care reform tour to discuss our broken health care system and unveil solutions to address the current health care crisis. The three-day statewide tour will begin on Thursday, February 7th in Duluth and conclude on Saturday, February 9th in Northfield. At town hall meetings across the state, legislators will discuss their health care reform proposal, the Minnesota Health Act, and efforts to move Minnesota closer to universal health care coverage. The Northfield Town Hall Meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday February 9th at Northfield Public Library, 210 Washington Street.
"We continue to hear stories from our constituents about the significant problems they face due to our broken health care system," said Bly, who has co-authored of the Minnesota Health Act. "We need to begin to take action now, and the purpose of this tour is to discuss the proven solutions that are available."
Bly has worked with the Minnesota Health Reform Caucus for much of last summer and fall. The group analyzed the current health care system as a whole and explored what legislative action would best address the problems. Several legislators who worked on these issues last year, including Sen. John Marty, Rep. Carolyn Laine, Rep. Ken Tschumper, and Rep. Shelley Madore, will also participate on the tour.
Minnesota health care costs have risen substantially over the past few years, with most families experiencing double-digit premium increases year after year. Increasingly, people are putting off annual check-ups and other life-saving preventive care measures because of higher premiums and deductibles. Additionally, about 460,000 Minnesotans, including 30,000 children, still have no health insurance.
"Our legislative proposals are designed to put us on a path toward guaranteed health care that can’t be taken away" said Sen. Marty, chair of the Senate Health, Housing, and Family Security Committee. "Our main health care goal is to cover every Minnesotan for less money and with less waste," said Bly. "We can reach this goal, and on this tour, we will discuss the best route to get there."
On the three-day tour, legislators will hold town hall meetings in seven cities, including Duluth, Brainerd, Mankato, and Northfield. Bly said the town hall meeting setting is designed to promote discussion and interaction.
"We want to educate folks about the root causes of our health care crisis and answer questions about how to best solve the problems," said Bly.
Bly and fellow legislators plan to have hearings on their health care reform legislation soon after the session begins on February 12th.
Health Care Reform Statewide Tour Schedule
Thursday February 7th
Duluth
TIME: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Duluth YWCA, 202 W. 2nd St, in their Trepanier Hall
HOST: Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon
Hibbing
TIME: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: TDD
HOST: Rep. Carolyn Laine
Friday February 8th
Bemidji
TIME: 8:00 am - 9:00 am
LOCATION: Cabin Coffeehouse and Cafe, 214 Third Street, Bemidji, MN 56601
HOST: Sen. Mary Olson
Brainerd
TIME: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
LOCATION: City Hall Councilchambers, 501 Laurel Street, Brainerd MN 56401
HOST: Rep. John Ward
Mankato
TIME: 5:30 pm –7:00 pm
LOCATION: TDD
HOST: Sen. Kathy Sheran
Saturday February 9th
Winona
TIME: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
LOCATION: Great Hall, Watkins Manor, 175 E Wabasha (7th) St, Winona, MN, 507-494-7400, Enter the E. or left door. Small parking lot and plenty of street parking.
HOST: Rep. Ken Tschumper
Northfield
TIME: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
LOCATION: Northfield Public Library, Meeting room, 210 Washington St., Northfield
HOST: Rep. David Bly
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