Friends,
I hope everyone has been enjoying the warmer weather we’ve been having recently. It seems as if spring is right around the corner. With the legislative session now in full swing, here is an update from the Capitol.
My Bills
It was a busy week for me at the Capitol, as multiple bills I am authoring received hearings in committees.
One of my bills that was heard this week deals with modifying licensing requirements for childcare providers. One of the main things this bill does is remove unnecessary regulations that are hindering providers. Current law requires providers notify parents if they do not have liability insurance, have changed their liability insurance, have had a lapse in their liability insurance or have renewed the same liability insurance. This bill would remove the requirement that providers notify parents if they simply renewed the same insurance without any other changes. This is a commonsense reform that eliminates this redundant regulation.
The bill would also require the Dept. of Human Services to provide clearer and more specific reasoning and examples if it conflicts with a county’s recommendation and denies, suspends, or revokes a provider’s license. Currently, there is little transparency in this process, and this provision would ensure providers receive better information in these instances.
Another bill I presented this week would require insurance companies to cover annual 3-D breast cancer screening for all women that are considered at high risk for breast cancer. 3-D mammograms are a more accurate test and have repeatedly proven effective in detecting breast cancer in its early stages. Identifying cancer early allows it be treated most successfully, and reduces costs associated with more intensive treatment down the road. I am proud to author this critical, bipartisan legislation that I believe will help more women beat breast cancer and ultimately help save lives.
I also had a hearing on one of my bills designed to ensure patients are charged the lowest possible cost for prescription medications. I have recently heard stories of co-pays actually being higher than the amount the prescriptions would cost were they to be purchased without insurance. My bill will make sure people are paying the lowest possible price for their prescription drugs – whether that be their co-pay, their allowable insurance claim amount, or the price of the medication without insurance.
Finally, I presented one of my bills yesterday which would make it easier for individuals with disabilities to vote in our elections. In some counties across the state, people with certain disabilities have a difficult time voting because electronic voting machines with ADA compliant touch screens are not permitted. My bill would allow these machines to be used, making this an easier process.
In each instance, these bills were approved by their respective committees and will continue working their way through the legislative process. I will continue my efforts on them and am hopeful of their eventual passage.
State of the State Address
On Wednesday evening, Governor Dayton delivered his State of the State address. I was pleased to hear the Governor’s commitment to working with the legislature in order to address federal tax conformity, ensure a fair tax system for all Minnesotans, and take action to improve school safety. However, I remain disappointed by his failure to emphasize the importance of fixing the problems surrounding vulnerable adult abuse in our state. Nonetheless, I look forward to a productive session working with the Governor in order to build on our accomplishments from last session.
Vulnerable Adult Abuse
Regarding vulnerable adult abuse, the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) recently released a report revealing “toxic” working environments as well as mismanagement and failure to meet its responsibilities by the Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC). The OHFC is responsible for investigating issues of abuse and maltreatment by providers. The OLA report shows that we need comprehensive reform to address this complex problem as well as strategies going forward to prevent these abuses from happening in the first place. We all have aging loved ones that could be impacted by this prevalent problem, and we owe it to them to prioritize meaningful solutions this session.
Contact Me
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-5387 or rep.roz.peterson@house.mn.
Sincerely,
