Health Care for All Rally

Dear Neighbors,

Legislators have returned to St. Paul for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, but Minnesotans’ values and the values that guide my work at the Capitol haven’t changed. We know that Minnesotans care about each other and want to see one another succeed. 

2020 Minnesota Values Plan: Build a state that works better for everyone

I am committed to building a better future for all Minnesotans. The Legislature made valuable bipartisan progress last year and I look forward to reaching meaningful agreements with our Senators on the issues most important to Minnesotans. House DFLers believe that all Minnesotans deserve a world-class education, affordable health care, economic security, and safe and inclusive communities. We will continue our efforts to make this better future a reality for all Minnesotans.

Our 2020 Minnesota Values Plan includes the following priorities:

World-class schools — House DFLers believe every child in Minnesota deserves a great start, and are working to close the opportunity gap and invest in early care and learning.

Affordable, accessible health care — House DFLers are working to pass long-overdue legislation to provide affordable insulin and reduce the price of prescription drugs. 

Economic security — House DFLers are working to provide paid family and medical leave and earned safe and sick time to all Minnesotans.

Safe and inclusive communities — House DFLers are working to enact common-sense gun violence prevention legislation including criminal background checks on all gun sales and extreme risk protection orders. We are working to deliver investments in communities across the state through local jobs & projects. And the House DFL will continue to advocate for bold action on climate, including a 100% clean energy standard.

House DFLers led the way last year with a bold, progressive agenda that sets a marker for the future. Last year’s budget was just a first step on a much longer road to a better state. We will continue working to advance an ambitious agenda that will improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

Health Care for All Rally

On Sunday I was joined by advocates, leaders, and folks like you at the Capitol to let the Legislature know that healthcare is human right. We like to say that our system is broken, but the truth is it is not broken, it is working exactly as designed, putting the money at the top while everyone else struggles to make ends meet. Seeing your doctor should not be a financial decision, that’s why I will continue to fight to change our healthcare system. You can watch some of my remarks here. 

Emergency access to insulin hearing

The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs are forcing too many people to make impossible decisions: Do I pay for groceries, or my medication? One of the most prominent examples of price gouging we’ve seen in the news is insulin, a drug that diabetics need to stay alive the same way you and I need water and air.

Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and Governor Tim Walz co-authored a Star Tribune op-ed about our solution to create a program for emergency access and long-term affordability. This follows a news conference in which Democrats questioned Republicans’ opposition to holding Big Pharma accountable and sharing in the cost of a solution. 

Here’s a short excerpt from the op-ed:

“...we have worked tirelessly to find a solution that Republicans are willing to support. We remain open to their ideas and eager for a bipartisan path forward. We even improved Alec’s bill by adding certain Republican proposals, including a program that would help Minnesotans afford insulin over the long-term. We have come close to reaching a deal.

But there’s one area where Republicans simply will not budge: holding pharmaceutical companies accountable. The only way we can provide relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin is if we call upon the companies who created this crisis to help fund the solution. The insulin manufacturers and the lobbyists from Big Pharma don’t like Alec’s Bill and are doing everything in their power stop it. They’d much rather have Minnesota taxpayers pick up the tab. Unfortunately, Republicans are right there with them.” 

Season 2 of the Minnesota Values Podcast

The Minnesota Values Podcast is back for a second season. In the first episode, my colleagues Rep. Liz Olson and Rep. Jamie Long interview special guest Governor Tim Walz. Episode 2 focuses on Paid Family and Medical Leave. Listen at www.anchor.mn/mnvaluespod and anywhere podcasts are available, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

Keep in Touch!

What do you want to see accomplished for Minnesota this year? What are your hopes or goals? I want to hear from you! You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/56B. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Alice Mann