Accessibility menu
State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BILL PASSES HOUSE
ST. PAUL The Health and Human Services Conference Report passed on the House floor Tuesday by a vote of 82 to 44. Rep. Kim Norton (DFL Rochester) voted in favor of the bill. After the vote on the House floor, Norton voiced her support for the bill calling it necessary reform that will increase access to health care for Minnesotans and decrease costs.
"Health care reform and lower health care costs are essential to preserve and improve our quality of life in Minnesota. This bill is an important step in the right direction," said Rep. Norton.
After four years of budget cuts, nursing homes statewide and particularly in rural areas are hurting badly, more Minnesota children are currently denied access to health care than before, and health care costs continue to skyrocket. To deal with these, and other pervasive problems in Minnesota's health care system, the bill that passed today on the House floor includes the following reform and investment:
· $62 million for comprehensive statewide health care reform that will help lower health care costs for the 93% of currently-insured Minnesotans
· $124 million to expand health care coverage for over 78,000 uninsured Minnesota parents and children
· Sets a goal for the state's commitment to achieving universal health care coverage by January 1, 2001
· A 3 % increase in funding ($121 million) for long-term care facilities, including nursing homes
· Elimination of MinnesotaCare premiums for members of the military and their families for 12 months
· $48 million to fund mental health care initiatives
· $12 million to fund services for Minnesotans with disabilities
"The children of Minnesota should own the right to see a doctor," said Rep. Norton in support of the provision in the bill that will provide health care access to more uninsured Minnesota children. "This bill sets the state on course to provide adequate health care for children who are currently denied the right to a healthy life."
Norton went on to say, "This strong bill lowers health care costs, provides children access to medical care, helps nursing homes, and addresses mental health care issues that have been denied for too long. I am hopeful that the Governor will sign the bill into law to enact this necessary and positive reform."
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.