Policy Digest: Healthcare
Healthcare is a human right. This is the foundation upon which all the policies and programs for which I advocate are built. While speaking to members of our community – young parents to seniors, from all different backgrounds – it became abundantly clear to me that access to affordable, quality, and equitable healthcare is a primary concern of our district. There is one necessary action that will elevate the health outcomes of all Minnesotans: passing legislation that will institute a universal healthcare system in Minnesota.
For this to happen, we must pressure elected officials at all levels of government within our state to support the proposal. Here’s how you can do this:
How to Advocate for Universal Health Care in Minnesota
Educate yourself on the Plan! Both Senator John Marty’s Website and MNHealthPlan.org have incredibly useful information.
Get involved with Health Care for All Minnesota to find out about days of action, updates on the legislation, and more!
Bring forth a resolution at your local precinct caucus (Tuesday, February 27 - Registration @ 6:30pm, Chippewa Middle School) to support this action!
Organize a campaign with your friends who live outside of SD40 to call their legislators (everyone here in SD40 is on board with the plan).
While Universal Health Care would be the single largest step toward ensuring health equity within the state, there is other legislation that could make our healthcare system within Minnesota more accessible, affordable, and equitable.
What I Can Do
If elected as your next State Representative, I would advocate for policies and programs that do the following:
Expand the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act to institute a monthly cap to the cost of other life saving drugs, including prescription drugs that treat asthma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases for eligible individuals.
Require health care professionals to undergo regular cultural competency training in order to stay in touch with the needs of the changing demographics of our state.
Ensure safe staffing practices and protections for healthcare professionals who report unsafe working conditions; keep healthcare professionals involved in future policy-making decisions surrounding their field.
Increase funding for elder care facilities and at-home care; support our at-home care workers by being an ally to SEIU during future contract negotiations so that we can draw more workers to the profession with better working conditions and higher wages.
It will take a team effort to ensure our state provides the health care access to Minnesotans that we all need and deserve!
Please join the discussion!
