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Health Care Cheat Sheet

We know you care about fighting for our families, communities, and environment. But navigating health care policy can feel as frustrating as actually navigating our current health care system (IOW: really, really frustrating).  

We’re less than six weeks away from the end of the 2019 legislative session. It’s a lot to keep up with—but we’ve got you covered. We put together a health care cheat sheet to break down what’s important this session.

Your health care study guide

Minnesotans voted in 2018 for health care that puts people first. Governor Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan, and the House DFL heard us loud and clear. They’re standing with Minnesotans who have been calling for more affordable, accessible health care options. But a handful of elected officials are standing the way of the people.

Our health care study guide breaks it down for you. 

PROTECTING THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TAX

Background: In 2011, the Legislature struck a deal with the Governor to “sunset” the health care provider tax on December 31, 2019—this year. The health care provider tax funds the Health Care Access Fund, the key funding source for MinnesotaCare, Medicare, and other public health programs. Without it, the state would lose nearly $700 million a year for health care programs, putting thousands of Minnesotans’ health care in jeopardy.… Continue reading »

Out of Reach: McKenzie’s Story

By: McKenzie Shappell

I am 25. Anyone my age is keenly aware of that number and shares my anxiety as they contemplate the very real cost that one more birthday represents.

While many of us have long been forced by circumstance to manage our health care alone, still more of us are now preparing to face that hydra as we prepare to age out of our parents’ insurance plans. In a matter of months, I will join the throngs of Americans chasing the elusive specter of continuous employment (at 25? Please.) or taking their chances on the exchange. This is the anxious reality for the vast numbers of us in need of medication to treat chronic and temporary conditions, battle mental illness, and prevent diseases.

As a gay man, I’m considered to be part of a high-risk community—one where the chances of contracting HIV through sexual contact are greater than for most other groups. Like countless others in my community, I use a pre-exposure prophylaxis drug known commonly as Truvada, to prevent the spread of HIV from person to person. Truvada is also often utilized in the treatment and management of HIV itself and is therefore vital to the health and welfare of people across the spectrum of sexual orientation.… Continue reading »

Not Alone: Katy’s Story

By: Katy W.

I’ve grown up in St. Cloud since age 5. This is the community I’ve chosen to raise my kids in and the city I’ve chosen to be involved in. I chaired my neighborhood association, and have been involved in local politics, my church, and TakeAction Minnesota.

I’m also one of many people in our community who has had to make incredibly hard choices because of a sick family member and a system of care that wasn’t there for me and my family.

The first year my son was diagnosed with LCH, a cross between a cancer and a leukemia, I felt incredibly isolated and scared. I was a new mother with a sick 2-year-old. It was overwhelming. I had a 6-week-old baby and a 2-year-old who was projectile vomiting like The Exorcist. It wasn’t just overwhelming. It was one of the worst times in my life.

We got access to medical assistance through the county and state, but we still struggled to make ends meet. Going from two incomes to one makes a huge difference when you are choosing between gas to get to work or fresh apples at the market or diapers. It’s hard to make ends meet and not end up homeless because you didn’t pay rent. … Continue reading »

This Equal Pay Day—Let’s Work to Pass Paid Time to Care

By: Mai Chong Xiong

Tuesday is Equal Pay Day, the day where women’s average wages “catch-up” to what white men earned in 2018.

That’s right—three additional months.

As a mother and worker, this issue hits close to home for me. On average, women earn 0.80 cents to the dollar, but the wage gap is worse for women of color. Black women earn 0.61 cents to the dollar, Native women 0.58 cents, and Latina women 0.53 cents. Hmong women’s equal pay day isn’t until September.

The underlying causes of the wage gap are structural and systemic. We need a slate of solutions, both cultural and political, to close the gap.

On average, Minnesota women who are working full-time lose a combined total of nearly $15 billion every year due to the wage gap.

THIS IS PERSONAL.

When I had my first child, I was privileged to take paid maternity leave for twelve weeks with a combination of short-term disability, paid leave, and vacation hours. Just a few days after we came home from the hospital, my father-in-law had a heart attack and was hospitalized for weeks.

Between caring for a newborn and a sick loved one, my husband lost his job because he had taken “too much” time to care for his family.… Continue reading »

5 Minnesota Businesses Supporting Equal Pay, Paid Time to Care

Tuesday, April 2 is Equal Pay Day, when we acknowledge the time it takes for women’s average salaries in the United States to catch-up to what white men earned in 2018.

That’s right—three whole months. 

On average, women in Minnesota earn roughly 82 cents for every dollar a white man earns. And that gap widens when you factor in race—Asian American women in Minnesota earn 72 cents to the dollar, Black women earn 60 cents to the dollar, Native American women earn 57 cents to the dollar, and Latinas earn 53 cents to the dollar.

And we know that other factors, such as age, ability, immigration status, sexuality, and gender identity, also affect equal pay.

There’s no single cause to the wage gap. Sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination manifest into bias in opportunity, mentorship and networking, hiring, salaries, promotions, and leave practices. We need both cultural and structural changes to close the gap, including a slate of policy reforms like paycheck transparency, paid family and medical leave (PFML), and earned sick and safe time (ESST).

This year at the legislature, we have an opportunity to help bridge the divide by passing PFML and ESST statewide.… Continue reading »

Climate Change is About Everyone

By: Helen Clanaugh

The climate movement is about everyone.

It’s an issue that intersects with racial justice, gender justice, class, LGBTQ+ and disability rights. No matter your age, religion, or political affiliation— this issue affects all of us, one way or another.

That’s why we need to act now. A lot of times people ask me how I remain so positive while advocating for climate justice, knowing how big and scary this issue can be. We have 11 years to do something, so remaining positive and continuing to fight is the only hope we have as young people.

This is about my future, your future, and everyone that will come after us.

Helen speaking at the Duluth Youth Climate Strike, which she co-organized, on March 15.

I got involved with the climate movement because of my passion for protecting the planet, but it has morphed into so much more than that. It’s about our Indigenous communities that have and continue to fight to preserve our natural resources. It’s about my Black and brown neighbors who are disproportionately affected by climate change. And it’s about all the children that don’t even know what climate change is yet. I’ve always had a passion for the natural world and have found peace within it.… Continue reading »

Better and Healthier: Willa’s Story

By: Willa Pearls

A few weeks ago, I ended up in the hospital. I survived because of Medicaid and Medicare. These programs allow me to do the things that keep me alive and allow me to live a productive life.

I have needed health care my whole life, like every person in this country. But in my 40s, after physical and stress-related health problems, I found myself disabled and unable to work. I have diabetes, a mild anxiety disorder, and other health issues that limit my ability to work, move around, and get what I need.

I want people to realize that life happened to me, and what happened to me can happen to anyone.

I’m lucky to have children who are wonderful and help me in my life. I’m lucky to have people in my community who help me and whom I can help. I like my life, and I would not be able to have the life I have without programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Having affordable health care gave me the chance to get my master’s degree and complete PhD courses. Having affordable health care gave me the ability to substitute teach in the Minneapolis School District.

I currently tutor in my community.… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: In Minnesota, We Fix The Potholes Together

In Minnesota, we fix the potholes together.

As Minnesotans, we care deeply about each other. We value freedom and opportunity for all. We know that our destinies are tied together.

That’s why, when it comes to questions about taxes and public investments, I know the question is really simple: What kind of world do we want to live in together?

Growing up in a loving family that lived on the financial brink my life was filled with physical and metaphorical potholes. We were one broken car, missed paycheck or unexpected bill away from not making ends meet. I knew it was public investments—in food, housing, and medical assistance—that smoothed our bumpy path, and kept my siblings and me safe and healthy.

As the snow melts and the potholes begin to show, I’ve been thinking a lot about the essential role of government in our lives.

None of us can get the health care we need on our own as individuals. We can’t build streets on our own. And we can’t rein in corporations from polluting our environment or exploiting working people on our own.

Our government is responsible for making sure all of us have the opportunity to live the American dream, and nobody is left behind.… Continue reading »

State of Fear: Jacob’s Story

By: Jacob Skahl

Last December, I lost my health care for three months. It felt terrible. I knew that if anything happened, the out-of-pocket expenses would make it impossible for me to pay rent or buy food. I spent over $100 just to go to a routine doctor’s appointment and get a prescription refilled. I was in a constant state of fear that something would happen.

When I didn’t have access to health care for those three months, I worried about how I would get the care I needed. Now that I am on MinnesotaCare, I worry about how I will afford it. Even with coverage, I’m constantly asking myself if I will be able to survive a medical emergency.

Every day health care is on my mind. And every day I make hard choices between making ends meet and dealing with pain.

This lack of health care access is both systemic and intergenerational. Many of my family members have medical debt that they will never be able to pay off, and they have been forced out of their homes because of it. My dad is a retired veteran. After 18 years of working in labor, he is physically disabled. He worked so hard for so long, and all he has to show for it are his medical bills.… Continue reading »

Protect Our Health Care

… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: Expand Health Care, Don’t Cut It

In Minnesota, we care for each other. My name is Amanda Otero and I’m the organizing director at TakeAction Minnesota. First, I believe that health care is always about two things: people and values. People like Riley Schumacher, a TakeAction Minnesota leader from St. Cloud, MN who was an infant when he was diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency. Riley grew up fighting for his life. As an adult, Medicaid has been life saving and life changing for him. Today, Riley is among the Minnesotans fighting to protect health care. Because in Minnesota, we care for each other. We’re resourceful, abundant, and we know that we’re stronger when nobody’s left behind. Why is health care at risk in Minnesota? Right now, health care for one million Minnesotans enrolled in MinnesotaCare and Medicaid is at risk. I’m sure you’re wondering how on earth did this happen?

People’s House Series: (Update!) HMO Conversion Bill Moves Forward

In Minnesota, we believe in fairness and the common good.

This week, hundreds of TakeAction Minnesota members contacted their legislators about Minnesota allowing for-profit health insurance companies from entering the state and why we need strong HMO conversion laws. Today, Rep. Jen Schultz’s bill (HF533) was approved by the House Commerce committee. This is great news for Minnesotans, as we continue to work toward a people-centered health care system.

https://www.facebook.com/TakeActionMinnesota/videos/342014956442226/ Watch and share this video to learn more about nonprofit HMO conversions Rep. Jen Schultz (Duluth)

Here’s what Rep. Schultz said about the bill a news release today:

“Minnesotans expect that money they’ve paid toward health care will go toward just that purpose: providing health care, not enriching insurance company executives and shareholders.”

“The repeal of the for-profit ban was in addition to the $542 million handout insurance companies received from the reinsurance bill. As we work on real solutions making health care more affordable and improving the quality of care Minnesotans receive, the accountability measures in this bill will help ensure that money for health care is spent on people, not going toward corporate profits.”

We agree. And we’re grateful for the champions who are standing up for Minnesotans.… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: Stop the Health Care Heist

In Minnesota, we believe in fairness and the common good. We were the only state in the nation that still banned for-profit companies from selling health insurance. But in 2017, corporate lobbyists changed that law. It takes effect this year.

Not One Plan: Sarah’s Story

Sarah Piepenburg runs a small business, Vinaigrette, in Minneapolis. She is a member of Main Street Alliance of Minnesota, an organization that works to provide small businesses a voice in the most pressing public policy issues in Minnesota and nationally.

We started our business, Vinaigrette, over ten years ago. When we started it, we didn’t really think about health care. We were fortunate because, through our husband’s previous employer, we were still covered under COBRA. When COBRA expired, we were full-swing into our business. We were surprised to find out that as a family of three, we made $24,000. This put us way below the poverty line, which in some ways was fortunate, because then were covered under Medical Assistance.

We were covered under MA for a few years, and then came the Affordable Care Act. I excitedly went online to figure out what I could get, but our income at the time was too low, so we didn’t qualify for the open market. But we no longer qualified for MA, so we were put on the supplemental track. It wasn’t really a problem because it was something we could afford. But then, in 2017, we as a family made $57,670.… Continue reading »

5 Things We Love About Gov. Walz’s Health Care Proposal

We're thrilled to support Governor Walz & Lt. Governor Flanagan's health care proposal. Here are 5 reasons why.

Lucky to Be Alive: Riley’s Story

By: Riley Schumacher

When I was an infant, I was diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency.

I spent most of my childhood fighting for my life, spending time in hospital beds, hoping that I would make it to adulthood. My parents spent most of their time fighting for me, either with doctors or health insurance companies that didn’t want to cover me because of my health problems.

My mother took care of me, comforted me, and made sure I was supported. My dad fought for me by advocating and often fighting against health insurance companies to get coverage for experimental treatments. They knew how to navigate the health care system in order to get the care that I needed and keep me alive.

I know that many people with my health problems would not have had access to the same resources. They would not have been able to afford the live-saving care they need.

I am lucky to be alive. But the lives of Minnesotans shouldn’t be dependent on luck. 

Because the state of Minnesota values its children, I was put on TEFRA—Medical Assistance (MA) for children with disabilities. When I got older, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asthma, and mental health complications.… Continue reading »

Affording Care, Using Care: Devin’s Story

By: Devin Helmick

I live in Central Minnesota and get health care through MinnesotaCare.

I don’t have enough money to purchase private insurance, and my work doesn’t provide healthcare benefits. The situation is complicated by me having a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)—specifically depression—which pushes me to near suicide and has led to several attempts in the past. Depression made life unbearable for me. Every waking day had some sort of insurmountable suffering that I could not quite overcome, despite outward appearances.

That all changed roughly a year ago when I was lucky enough to be able to get myself a proper diagnostic exam done, and was able to get psychiatric care and medications that have helped me manage my depression. Things are far from perfect, however the difference on my life is night and day already.

There is just one problem: the medications combined cost well over $1000.

I am lucky to have insurance through the state of Minnesota, which is the only reason I’m able to afford the cost of my medications. This health care, however, is chained to my income. If my income rises too much, I could lose coverage and likely end up worse-off, having to get the lowest cost private insurance I could afford.… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: A Family Friendly Minnesota

Our Capitol, Our Voices Courage is contagious. This week, women, young people, POC & immigrant workers, and people from all walks of life were at the Capitol to call for action. Bad ass high school students, Grace, Maddy, and Lia, testified to lawmakers why we need urgent action to prevent further damage to our environment. Ami, a courageous survivor, shared her story about being sexually harassed and stalked for a year working at Perkins. Robin Pikala and Kevin Osborn were among the workers speaking out to #StopWageTheft. Next week, working people and families will be at the Capitol again supporting paid time to care with Earned Sick and Safe Time. But there’s an even bigger story to tell.

Doing Better: Stuart’s Story

By: Stuart Orlowski

Why is health care reform important to me? Because I’m afraid.

I’m afraid of unexpected, unpredictable costs that will hurt my livelihood. Last year I broke my hand. I had insurance, so I assumed that most of the costs would be covered for my care. Surgery was not required for my injury, just an x-ray and a splint. Still, I was surprised to find that my out-of-pocket expenses were over $400. 

That was on top of other, smaller incidents. Like paying $250 for a strep test after having a sore throat for two weeks.

I felt financial pain on top of these injuries. And while I managed to pay these bills, studies have shown that 57% of Americans can’t cover a $500 emergency. Health care costs can easily snowball—and the majority of us can’t keep up.

I’m afraid for my uninsured friends and family—that they will become sick or injured and what that would mean for their economic stability and health.

Also last year, I got food poisoning while traveling to Chicago. 

The pressure on my chest was unbearable.  My friends advised me to go to the hospital. After all, chest pain could mean a number of things. … Continue reading »

People’s House Series: Claiming the role of our government

Earlier this week, a friend brought up the push at the Capitol to legalize marijuana. He said, “Why would they introduce it if it’s not going to pass?”

It’s a really important question.

Honestly, I don’t know if or when it will pass. But I know why they introduced it.

Senator Melisa Franzen and others are carrying out the will of the people–that’s their job and they’re doing it.

I’ve been thinking about this all week (it’s been a long one, riding out the polar vortex).

It’s time to claim our narrative about the role of government

The role of our elected officials is to carry out the will of the people. It’s to listen to us. Minnesotans have been clear about their support for legalizing marijuana – more than pot, we need restorative justice. It’s wrong that so many POC and low-income Minnesotans are in prison right now for possession. Senator Franzen is carrying the people’s message.

As we navigate the politics of marijuana and every other issue, we have the opportunity to be crystal clear about the role of our elected officials and the values we’re grounded in.

We’ve been lied to

For decades, conservative narratives have undermined the role of our government.… Continue reading »

Cost of Care: Efemona’s Story

By: Efemona Kosi

I am lucky to be covered under my parent’s healthcare plan.

My mother is a nurse and my father is a correctional officer. We’re ensured under my father’s employer because he works for the state. As a result, his plan offers more benefits at a lower price. I am under 26 years old, so I have a few more years to benefit from that coverage, thanks to provisions in the Affordable Care Act.  Nevertheless, my ability to use these services has always been limited by high copayments and deductibles.

Sometimes, I forget this fact because I feel so grateful just to have coverage. But having coverage and being able to access coverage are two very different things.  

I was reminded of this reality when my tooth began to hurt recently, and I realized I’ve only been to the dentist twice in my life. The copayments are about $35. For some, that might not seem high; but as a college student, that’s a week worth of groceries. So I reevaluated whether my tooth really hurt “that badly,” and I took as many ibuprofens as allowed. I hoped that my symptoms didn’t get any worse. I do this with other issues, too.… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: Paid Time to Care & What it Means to be Human

I’m Amanda. I’m the organizing director at TakeAction Minnesota. And I’m a new mama to Luz. She’s almost 7 months old. When she was born, I took almost 14 weeks of paid time to care for her this summer. On January 3, Luz started daycare. It was bittersweet. Me & baby Luz A week later, she came down with a fever. She was fussy and she wouldn’t eat. My partner took her to the doctor. She had a viral respiratory illness. Luz doesn’t scream when she’s sick (am I lucky or what?), but she needs to be held a lot. The two of us took three days off work in one week. I used paid sick time. He used flex time. A few days later, we got the worst news we could hear. My Nicaraguan father in law passed away unexpectedly. We booked our international flights and were gone for a week. In the moments of life, and death, and raising our families, one thing is abundantly clear: Life doesn’t get in the way of work. It’s the other way around.

Surviving, Thriving: Amity’s Story

By: Amity Foster

When I was 22 years old, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was fresh out of college. I did not have a job. I did not have healthcare.

I was in that zone of not really being sure what I was going to do with my life, feeling stressed, but also feeling kind of invincible. Then I got my diagnosis over the phone: “You have acute promyelocytic leukemia. You are at extremely high risk for getting very sick, you need to come to the hospital now.”

I can absolutely tell you this: I survived because I was taken care of. And that includes the cost.

There were no questions about insurance, healthcare plans, or cost. It was very fast. I got the call on a Saturday and I was at United on Monday. I remember feeling confused, scared, and overwhelmed. But I don’t remember being worried about how I was going to pay for everything. I remember a hospital staffer, maybe she was a social worker, coming to talk to me. She helped me fill out a ton of forms.

And that was it.

No bills, ever.

There were points in my treatment where I almost died. The fear and loneliness of having cancer is awful enough.… Continue reading »

Tell us why health care matters to you.

… Continue reading »

Two Loose Screws: Anne’s Story

By: Anne Tews

In 2010, I lost my job and got health care coverage through Thrivent. It cost an arm and a leg, and if I were to use it I’d have to pay a high deductible before coverage would kick-in. Even getting my annual check-up was difficult because of the hoops the insurance company made me jump through. That’s why I was thrilled that the Affordable Care Act allowed me to get MNSure coverage in 2013.

My right foot had been bothering me since 2010, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Now that I had coverage, I could finally look into it.

I went in for an annual check-up (my first in a couple of years) and mentioned my sore foot. X-rays showed that I had osteoarthritis in one joint, and I was told that I needed to see an orthopedic doctor about treatment. A few weeks and more x-rays later, I got the news that there was no cartilage left in my joint and I would have to undergo a talonavicular joint fusion.

The fusion would require inserting two 1.75″ screws into my joint and 2-3 pins into my foot. But it was worth it for what I thought would be a permanent solution.… Continue reading »

People’s House Series: Protect health care & the provider tax

There are deep, underlying questions we should be asking our elected leaders and each other. What kind of world do we want to live in? What does it mean to care for each other? What would it mean if we had health care that included everyone in Minnesota and left no one to fend for themselves? No one should have to crowdfund to get the care they need.

Claiming Our Vision on Health Care—One Story at a Time

Dashk /Adobe Stock

“I am a self-employed horse trainer and I moved back to Minnesota to start my business, in part specifically because of MinnesotaCare. It has provided fabulous coverage for me, and I could not run my business without it. I have been able to live a healthy, productive life thanks to MinnesotaCare, without stress of deciding whether I can afford to go to the doctor or have my insurance taken away. – Jana K.  

“If it wasn’t for Medical Assistance, I would be unable to receive the care I need to manage my depression, psychosis, and suicidal ideation. Without care, I could die.” – Margaret D.

“About 2.5 years ago I had to drop out of college because my depression got too severe.  Then I spent most of that 2.5 years going from program-to-program to medication-to-medication, and none of it was working. Then my therapist suggested ECT, which is electroconvulsive therapy, and I did that. That worked very well, and it was completely covered by my health insurance. Without health insurance, it would have cost $13,000, and that would have been really, really, really, hard on me and my family. – Lauren K. 

 “When I lived in California, New York, and Illinois, I couldn’t afford health insurance. I went bankrupt because of health care expenses.” … Continue reading »

People’s House Series: First week of the legislative session

Dear Friends,

Each week, the People’s House Series will share our progressive take on what’s happening at the people’s house (aka the Capitol).

My name is Kenza Hadj-Moussa. I’m the communications director at TakeAction Minnesota, co-leading our legislative work alongside Amanda Otero.

I have to tell you, this year feels different. It feels like a fresh start because it is.

We have a new Governor and Lt. Governor, diverse new commissioners, new progressive legislators, a bad ass Speaker of the House, and grassroots energy to get stuff done. (It’s a stark contrast to Washington. Day 17 of the shutdown…)

Here’s our take. This session is about creating the world we want to live in together. It’s about our underlying values and core beliefs, not as progressives, but as Minnesotans.

• Everyone has inherent value, no exception.
• We love and support each other.
• There’s enough for all.
• We trust the wisdom of our lived experience.
• We heal together.
• Lastly, we believe that the role of our elected officials is to carry out the will of the people.

DFL lawmakers are also leading with values (re: the Minnesota Values Project), introducing 10 bills the first week of session that reflect who we are and what we believe in as Minnesotans.

Together, we have the power to imagine a brighter future and co-create a democracy that’s truly people-centered.… Continue reading »

Our Year in Sound: 2018

This is my last week at TakeAction Minnesota. I have loved writing to you.  About our state.  For TakeAction Minnesota.  Working with Kenza and Elianne and the whole team here has been transformational for me. But after ten years, I’m ready for something new.  I’m launching the 100% Campaign, a new state-based effort to create an equitable & clean energy future for everyone in Minnesota.  (You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.) 

Growing Our Movements: Reflections from “Our Future is Joyful”

A fractal is a never-ending pattern—a complex structure that repeats and where each individual part is a replicate of the entire structure itself. Fractals exist in mathematics and in nature, and they exist in the structures and institutions around us.

“In a fractal conception, I am a cell-sized unit of the human organism, and I have to use my life to leverage a shift in the system by how I am, as much as with the things I do. This means actually being in my life, and it means bringing my values into my daily decision making. Each day should be lived on purpose.”

adrienne maree brown, 
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds

To create strong, resilient, lasting structures, the values embodied in our smaller systems (e.g., as individuals, families, and communities), should be replicated within our larger structures (e.g.,organizations, legal systems, and government).

That was the guiding principle for the Women of Color Table’s “Our Future is Joyful” room at the People’s Celebration. TakeAction Minnesota member Bahieh Hartshorn drew inspiration from Emergent Strategy, and the women of color leaders asked themselves—what values do we want to see replicated in every structure of our society? How do we weave together our memories, moments, confessions,observations, and wisdom to cultivate joyful movements?… Continue reading »