Dear Neighbors,
Last week I had the opportunity to visit St. Paul Music Academy, an elementary school giving students an opportunity to build a strong foundation in music concepts, appreciation, and performance. Students develop their skills through instruction on violin, vocals, keyboards, African drumming, and other orchestral and band instruments. I also got to meet Nawal, a blind ice hockey player. The school taught her how to skate by putting paper on the carpeted floor and then she stood on the paper and learned how to push and glide. This was amazing to learn about!
The school is part of the Saint Paul Public Schools Urban Teacher Residency (SUTR), allowing prospective teachers from underrepresented communities to combine rigorous full-year classroom paid apprenticeships alongside masters-level education courses during the day.
A full service community school, they offer wrap-around services to families including housing and employment assistance, dental care, mental health services and more to ensure students and their families are supported. I'm excited by the outcomes of schools like SPMA and hope we can boost our investments in this model. I thank Principal Barbara Evangelist, whose leadership has set the tone for the entire school, for letting me spend some time with her instructors and students.
Addressing High Insulin Prices
Every single day, people with diabetes count on insulin, as well as other medications and supplies, to maintain their wellbeing. Unfortunately, the price of insulin has spiked to an outrageous degree, forcing some Minnesotans to feel like they have no other choice but to ration their supply due to this cost. One such Minnesotan, Alec Smith, tragically passed away at the age of 26 because once he was no longer covered by his parents’ insurance policy, he couldn’t afford the $1,300 monthly price tag of insulin.
No one should have to experience this, and that’s why I’m proud to support HF 485. The bill creates a mechanism for Minnesotans who are unable to afford their needed insulin to get a temporary refill of their prescription. It also authorizes pharmacies to fill a temporary supply of insulin for patients whose prescription is out-of-date.
Today, the House Commerce Committee held a public hearing on this bill, plus other initiatives to help people with diabetes live with a high-quality way of life. These measures include HF 289 to improve drug price transparency; HF 288 to bar insurance companies from removing coverage of insulin, equipment, or supplies during an enrollee's contract year; and HF 284 to direct the state Department of Health to determine if pharmaceutical companies which manufacture insulin are forcing excessive cost increases and if so, require reimbursements for Minnesotans who need insulin to stay alive. Simply put the profit motive for Big Pharma shouldn’t get in the way of a quality way of life for all Minnesotans.
Ending Elder Abuse
Choosing to enter a nursing home or assisted living facility is a difficult decision for Minnesotans and their loved ones. They deserve compassionate care and the opportunity to live in comfort and with dignity. All Minnesotans should be able to count on this standard and most of the assisted living facilities and nursing homes in our area and throughout the state provide caring, safe environments. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There have been some high-profile cases of abuse, neglect, assault, and other forms of maltreatment in these facilities.
HF 90 is a bill currently advancing in the Minnesota House to address this. It includes recommendations that emerged from a consumer workgroup convened by AARP Minnesota to strengthen protections for older and vulnerable Minnesotans. Among other steps, the bill includes licensing requirements for assisted living facilities, prohibits deceptive and misleading marketing practices, and clarifies the civil rights of residents and their family members regarding both maltreatment and retaliation for making a maltreatment allegation. This initiative is a bipartisan priority and I look forward to supporting this bill on the House Floor in the near future.
Improving MNLARS
Governor Tim Walz has officially signed his first bill into law, HF 861, after passage by the House and the Senate last night. The bill will allow continued improvements to MNLARS, the state’s new motor vehicle licensing and registration system. Difficulties have been a source of frustration for many Minnesotans seeking to renew tabs, sell a vehicle, or get license plates. These problems are unacceptable and we have a responsibility to get this system working in a functional manner that auto owners, auto dealers, and everyone else can depend on. Our deputy registrars – the local license bureaus which process licenses and tabs – have experienced a particularly strong brunt of the MNLARS difficulties, and I’ll be working to ensure they get reimbursed for the costs they’ve had to withstand.
Please feel free to reach out with any input, ideas, or concerns. I enjoy hearing from you, and it’s an honor to be your voice at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Julie Sandstede
State Representative