Dear Neighbors,
Work continues at the Minnesota State Capitol this legislative session to improve the outlook for families across the state. I draw a great deal of inspiration from the many Minnesotans who share their stories, and these impact our efforts.
Minnesota Values Budget
One of our biggest responsibilities this session is passing a two-year state budget. My House DFL colleagues and I have announced a framework for the Minnesota Values Budget which makes significant investments in education, affordable health care, and safe & inclusive communities. In Minnesota, we care about one another and want to see each other have an opportunity to succeed. This budget outline guides us in a direction whereby we can build a state that works better for everyone. We’ve heard from Minnesotans about what they value, and these investments will help improve the lives of people across the state.
In the coming days, we will see specific proposals regarding all areas of the state budget.
Preventing Sexual Harassment
The #metoo movement has given a powerful voice to the many women who have experienced unthinkable behavior in the workplace. Too often though, survivors of sexual harassment have been unable to seek the justice they deserve in a court of law. An outdated, unreasonable “severe or pervasive” threshold has meant too many victims who deserve justice have seen their cases dismissed.
In a strong, bipartisan vote, the House has approved HF 10, a bill to modernize this standard to better ensure bad actors can be held accountable. All Minnesotans deserve to live and work in safe, respectful environments, and this bill will help ensure that’s possible.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis
Another bipartisan goal this session is to prevent further tragedies from our opioid crisis. Data from 2017 was recently released which showed for the fifth consecutive year, overdose-related deaths increased.
The House has approved HF 400, a bill containing comprehensive prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives to address the impact of this crisis. The bill creates an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council to invest in these strategies, funding for which will come from fees paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. These companies, despite their massive profits, have contributed nothing as local communities work to save lives. HF 400 changes that.
Earlier this session, the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, which I chair, traveled to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and we heard firsthand about some of the unique struggles our Native communities are having with this crisis. The bill also contains targeted, culturally-specific resources to address these challenges.
Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable and Accessible
Another area in which we’ve seen Big Pharma’s thirst for profits harm Minnesotans is regarding massive prescription drug prices. According to a recent report, 30 percent of Minnesotans say they have not taken their medicine as prescribed due to costs, or have reported skipping doses, cutting pills in half, substituting with over-the-counter drugs, or not filling a prescription in the past year.
We’ve considered a variety of ideas to help Minnesotans afford the medications they count on every single day. House DFLers have assembled a new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible by holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and putting more power in the hands of Minnesotans who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of needed medications. These include prohibitions on price gouging, ensuring emergency supplies of insulin, and stopping insurance companies and pharmaceutical middlemen from limiting access. A fact sheet with more information about the plan is available here.
Please continue to contact me with your input and ideas. It’s an honor to be your voice at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative
Rep. Rena Moran
Chair, House Health and Human Services Policy Committee
575 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
www.house.mn/65A
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Phone: 651-296-5158
E-mail: rep.rena.moran@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Alyssa Fritz, 651-296-2491