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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Erik Simonson (DFL)

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Health and Human Services bill cuts funding and eliminates MinnesotaCare—adversely affecting Greater Minnesota

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

 

SAINT PAUL, MN – Tonight, the Minnesota House is debating the Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill, which will cut state health funding by $1.152 billion. The bill eliminates MinnesotaCare, which will cause 100,000 working Minnesotans to lose their health insurance. MinnesotaCare provides health insurance for low-income Minnesotans who earn just enough not to qualify for Medical Assistance (MA). The 25 counties with the highest concentration of residents who qualify for MinnesotaCare are all in Greater Minnesota.

“Republicans are proving late tonight that tax cuts for the super rich are more important to them than 100,000 low-income Minnesotans having access to health insurance. If we needed any more proof that this House majority has completely broken their promise with Greater Minnesotans, we’re seeing it here tonight. The 4,800 people in St. Louis and Carlton Counties that get their healthcare through MinnesotaCare coverage don’t need these insults,” said Rep. Erik Simonson (DFL—Duluth). “These folks work hard, they pay insurance premiums and they pay taxes – and they deserve more than this.”

The bill also defunds the Statewide Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) nurse home visiting services.

“These cuts should be seen as a direct tax increase on poor families in Greater Minnesota, resulting from mismanaged government,” said Rep. Simonson. “There are opportunities to do better but Republicans aren’t listening. They are turning their backs on the success of the last two years to build a stronger healthcare budget that improves childcare, senior care, and protects our most vulnerable.”

Rep. Simonson encourages community members to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at rep.erik.simonson@house.mn or phone at 651-296-4246.

 

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