ST. PAUL — The House passed the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill, HF 2128, expanding government-run healthcare and driving up healthcare costs in Minnesota on Monday. The bill lacked any check on the power of the executive branch as it failed to end the Governor’s emergency powers. GOP Health Services Lead Rep. Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, and GOP Human Services Lead Rep. Tony Albright, R-Prior Lake, released the following statement after its passage:
“We need to make the cost of healthcare cheaper, not more expensive for Minnesotans,” said Rep. Schomacker. “The DFL’s bill threatens private insurance and hurts healthcare providers by placing new mandates on hospitals and other providers. Creating new regulations will only drive up the cost of insurance, drug prices, and care making it difficult for Minnesotans to receive the world-class healthcare we have come to enjoy in our state.”
“The power of the executive branch has expanded exponentially over the past year,” said Rep. Albright. “The DFL’s bill includes no end to Gov. Walz’s emergency powers nor does the legislature take any responsibility in the COVID-19 response. Instead, this bill only expands the size of DHS and creates more government programs. Minnesotans have had enough government overreach in the past year; it’s time to end the emergency powers and curtail our bloated bureaucracy.”