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Last week, House DFLers unveiled our budget outline for the next two years. This proposal, the Minnesota Values Budget, invests 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 is an honest, responsible budget framework that invests in the areas Minnesotans value most with the goal of improving the lives people across the state. In the coming days, we will see specific proposals regarding all areas of the state budget receive public hearings in our House committees.
Prescription Drugs
House DFLers have announced a new plan to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible. The bill holds big pharma accountable and puts more power in the hands of Minnesotans who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of medications they count on. It increases transparency for drug manufacturers, improves public scrutiny of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs, who serve as a middleman with too much control over which drugs patients can receive), leverages the State of Minnesota’s purchasing power to cut health care costs, and puts more power back in the hands patients and their doctors – not insurers or PBMs – to decide what medication is best suited to treat an illness. More information is available from this fact sheet here.
Ensuring Health Care Premiums Go Toward Care
Yesterday, the Minnesota Council on Health Plans reported that insurance companies overcharged consumers in the individual market. This came while insurance companies received $542 million in taxpayer subsidies through the “reinsurance” program, a Republican initiative aimed at to reducing premiums with no accountability or guarantees. While this could result in rebates of up to $37 million, it highlights the need to strengthen oversight of the way premium dollars are spent.
I’ve introduced a bill, HF 572, a bill to require, depending on the program, 80 or 85 percent of premiums received to be spent on health care benefits. As for-profit health plans become legal in the state of Minnesota, it’s critical that these consumer dollars are protected, and that health care can come before corporate profits.
Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth
Heartbreaking stories from Minnesotans who have experienced the horror of sex trafficking have been difficult to hear, but highlight the need to take action. In recent years, our state’s public policy has moved to a “safe harbor” model, treating those who have been sexually exploited as victims instead of criminals. This has included increased training for law enforcement, health professionals, educators and those who work in industries such as hospitality who may witness signs of sex trafficking and what steps to take if they suspect someone is in danger.
We’ve also worked to recognize that these victims have some unique needs following their trauma, including housing and health care services. This session I introduced HF 1659 to invest in shelter and services for sexually exploited youth and I’m pleased that $500,000 toward this is included in our Health and Human Services budget bill.
Redistricting Reform
Monday, the “We Count” campaign kicked off as we work together to make sure our 2020 census is completed thoroughly and accurately. A significant reason our decennial census is so important is the redistricting of congressional and legislative districts that occurs following its completion. Minnesotans deserve districts drawn under fair principles fully representing the population. Unfortunately, under current law with the responsibility falling to legislators and the Governor, this process can become rather political.
Voters should choose their elected officials instead of elected officials choosing their voters. In other states we’ve seen some egregious examples of “gerrymandering” in which districts are drawn for blatant partisan gain. I’ve proposed an idea, HF 1855, to amend the Minnesota Constitution to change this process, and give this responsibility to an independent redistricting commission. If approved by the voters at the 2020 election, the independent commission could be in place for the redistricting following the next census.
Please continue to contact me with any feedback, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Jen Schultz
State Representative
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