State republicans ignore warnings, drain health care reserves while cutting taxes for tobacco companies
(Minneapolis)—TakeAction Minnesota members gathered in front of state Republican Party offices today to highlight growing threats to health care for Minnesota families. Last week, state Republicans passed a state budget that ignores the federal reality. The repeal of the American Health Care Act (AHCA)—which passed the U.S. House of Representatives thanks to the decisive votes of Minnesota Representatives Emmer, Lewis, and Paulsen—promises to undo health care protections and end Medicaid as we know it. Instead of bracing for health care cuts, the Republican Legislature chose to drain Minnesota’s health care reserves while cutting taxes for the wealthy and tobacco companies.
“We’re out here because for many of us, health care is a matter of life and death,” said Teighlor McGee, a student at St. Kate’s University living with multiple chronic health conditions. “Millions of Americans stand to lose their health care—every one of them has a name and a story.”
The American Health Care Act passed by the U.S. House would cut over $800 billion from Medicaid, including over $2 billion per year to Minnesota, largely to pay for tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans.… Continue reading »
St. Paul, Minn. (May 7, 2017) — The U.S. House of Representative voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act today. Health care has been a top concern for Minnesotans since Trump took office. In February, 1,000 constituents showed up at a town hall meeting in Sartell, Minn. to question Rep. Emmer on repealing the ACA. Last month, constituents protested outside of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce to ask Rep. Paulsen, who was speaking at a paid business breakfast, where he stood on the matter.
“Emmer, Lewis, and Paulsen could have defeated this horrific bill. Instead of listening to their districts, they voted to make a nightmare into reality,” said Dan McGrath, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota. “They voted to kick millions of people off health care to finance tax cuts for the rich. This goes against every value we have. Minnesotans won’t forget.”
Twenty GOP members of Congress voted against the American Health Care Act. If just two more Republicans voted against it, the bill would have been defeated today. All three Minnesota GOP members of Congress voted for it.
TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multi-racial people’s organization. We advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and policy campaigns. www.takeactionminnesota.org… Continue reading »
St. Paul—The U.S. House of Representative voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act today. Health care has been a top concern for Minnesotans since Trump took office. In February, 1,000 constituents showed up at a town hall meeting in Sartell, MN to question Rep. Emmer on repealing the ACA. Last month, constituents protested outside of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce to ask Rep. Paulsen, who was speaking at a paid business breakfast, where he stood on the matter.
“Emmer, Lewis, and Paulsen could have defeated this horrific bill. Instead of listening to their districts, they voted to make a nightmare into reality,” said Dan McGrath, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota. “They voted to kick millions of people off health care to finance tax cuts for the rich. This goes against every value we have. Minnesotans won’t forget.”
Twenty GOP members of Congress voted against the American Health Care Act. If just two more Republicans voted against it, the bill would have been defeated today. All three Minnesota GOP members of Congress voted for it.
We know a lot has been asked of Indivisible members and other progressive citizens in recent months, from the hugely successful Women’s March to this past weekend’s many rallies and marches to support science. While not of this scale, with Congress about to again consider dismantling our healthcare safety net, we believe continuing grassroots efforts like our rally can make the difference in pressuring uncertain legislators. Moreover, we believe, with a change of legislative leadership, Minnesotans could lead the way by adopting a universal healthcare plan that would deliver much more comprehensive care for less cost.
Come and make your opinion heard! Come and support Senator Marty and Representative Bly’s Minnesota Health Plan or whatever other version of healthcare-for-all you endorse! Come and hear the healthcare vision of some of Minnesota’s gubernatorial candidates! We hope to see you there!
A public reception in the L’Etoile du Nord Vault Room – located below the Rotunda – will follow from 3:30 to 5:00pm. All Indivisible groups throughout Minnesota are invited to attend and share their progressive voices with our state legislators, state executive officers and administrators, and the public. To offset our costs for renting AV equipment and tables, and purchasing food for the reception, we are requesting a contribution of $30 from each participating group. … Continue reading »
I’ve been thinking about health care at the Capitol this year as a three-act play.
Act I: The Legislature passed a $300 million bill in January to assist Minnesotans buying health insurance on the individual market. (The same law allows health insurance companies like Blue Cross to convert from nonprofit to for-profit companies.)
Act II: The second act ended with the recent passage of the “reinsurance” law, giving away $540 million dollars in public funds to health insurance companies of — with no guarantee that premiums will go down.
Act III: The final act is in progress, as the Minnesota House debates the HHS budget for the next two years. Different bills passed the House and Senate floors last week.
The long and the short of it?
After giving $540 million away to the health insurance industry, with no strings attached, the GOP proposes to cut that much from our public health care programs. The House has proposed a $599 million cut to current spending adjusted for inflation.
How do they think the state can save that much money?
1. Punishing people enrolled in Medicaid (Medical Assistance) and MinnesotaCare. The House budget bill raises MinnesotaCare premiums to the maximum allowed under federal law — as much as a 70% increase.… Continue reading »
Instead of holding public meetings open to all constituents, Rep. Erik Paulsen is speaking at a private, ticketed Chamber of Commerce event. Join us outside this event to tell Rep. Erik Paulsen: Hands Off Our Health Care!
Join us and our allies with the Minnesota Nurses Association to stand up for health care for all, and to call on the insurance industry to stop taking even more public money that could go to provide healthcare.
On Thursday, March 23, members of the US House of Representatives are expected to vote on the American Health Care Act, which would cut health care coverage for millions of people and gut Medicaid by nearly $900 BILLION over 10 years in order to pay for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest people in America.
Join us on Thursday at the office of Rep. Jason Lewis to tell him to vote NO on the AHCA!
On Thursday, March 23, members of the US House of Representatives are expected to vote on the American Health Care Act, which would cut health care coverage for millions of people and gut Medicaid by nearly $900 BILLION over 10 years in order to pay for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest people in America.
Join us on Thursday at the office of Rep. Erik Paulsen to tell him to vote NO on the AHCA!
Join us at TakeAction’s office for a health care direct action led by Women of Color at 11 am, and then ride the light rail with us to the Capitol for a joint Lobby Day with our allies from ISAIAH and MNA at 1 pm. If you can’t make it at 11 am you can meet us directly at 1 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 105 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55103.
It’s time to share our stories with the decision-makers and demand access to quality, affordable health care!
… if we don’t understand the roots of how we got to here. It’s very easy to use the words “Medicaid,” “Medicare,” “MinnesotaCare Buy-in” and “Obamacare” in a sentence, but how many of us know really know how and why these elements of our health care system were established?
Hi, my name is Kenza Hadj-Moussa, and I’m the new Communications Director at TakeAction. Everyone has a story about health care. And health care, as a social issue, has a story too. Here’s my take on the historical roots of our health care system, and why it’s so hard to fix it today [hint: it’s the biggest taboo subject in American politics]. Take a look and let me know, after reading this, what are you left with? Send us an email at info@takeactionminnesota.org.
In 1964, just 47 days after President Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson gave his first State of the Union speech to a still-mourning nation. The nation was at war in Vietnam, though not at the level it would come to dominate in American culture. The U.S. never formally declared war on Vietnam, in fact, but LBJ did use his speech to declare war… an “unconditional war on poverty.”
And a dark national secret was becoming exposed: America was poor.… Continue reading »
Join us as we let folks know about our Annual Meeting on March 18th – an opportunity to meet and connect, get trained, dig into political education, and plug into local work. We’ll call TakeAction members across the state to invite them to join us at the event.
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
Minnesotans facing extreme health care costs line up support
St. Paul — State lawmakers are considering the MinnesotaCare Buy-In bill today. The proposal is backed by Minnesotans who are facing skyrocketing health insurance prices on the private market.
MinnesotaCare is a quality, low-cost insurance program. It was created 25 years ago as a bipartisan solution, but only about 100,000 Minnesotans are eligible to enroll.
The bill would allow anyone to buy coverage through MinnesotaCare. Individuals buying health insurance on the private market are often small business owners, farmers, or self-employed—and their health costs have soared.
“We pay a premium of nearly $1,900 per month and reach our $7,600 deductible every year, totaling around $30,000. That can be up to a third of our income and it rivals our mortgage,” said Kelly Martinson, a small business owner from St. Paul. “The copay for my son’s growth hormone, which his own body cannot make since his brain tumor, is $2,700 per month. We cannot possibly save any money for our kids to go to college, or for our own retirement. If costs continue to rise, we will not be able to keep our house.”… Continue reading »
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
Join us as we generate stories and support for Gov. Dayton’s MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal. This legislation would allow ANY Minnesotan buying individual insurance to pay for MinnesotaCare, one of our best, quality, affordable public health care programs. At these phonebanks we’ll call constituents and put them in touch with their elected officials in support of this bill.
It has only been one month since the beginning of the new Congress and the state legislative session, and a lot has happened in that time — both good and bad.
In Washington, the good news is that many members of Congress are nervous about repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, and they still have no real good idea on how they will replace it. 30 million Americans stand to lose access to health care if the ACA is repealed. After an original goal to pass a repeal and have it on President Trump’s desk by inauguration day, the soonest they will now vote on repeal is the end of February, and it may be as late as early April.
The pressure that we have put on our members of Congress to oppose repeal is working, and we need to keep it up! Congress has a week of recess from February 20-24, and most members will be back in their districts. Watch our calendar for details on upcoming events.
Later this year, the House and Senate are also likely to push for a much larger, more devastating attack on Medicaid that would cut funding by as much as ⅓ by the end of a decade (called “block granting” or “per capita caps”) and lead to serious cuts to health care for low-income families and long term care. … Continue reading »
A group of Minnesota small business owners gathered in Minneapolis Monday to urge lawmakers to keep the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
They believe the current health care system has allowed them to afford insurance for themselves and their employees.
“The ACA was successful through two prongs by expanding and strengthening our public health care programs and by ending some of the worst insurance company abuses and private insurance,” said David Zaffrann with Take Action Minnesota.
President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a desperate cry for help. The order itself is a talking point that delivers on a talking point. It provides the appearance of acting on Day One without actually needing to have any idea what to do.
Still, the power of the Presidency is real. And in 2017, it’s a real threat. First, the order’s coded political-speak suggests that patients in many states should expect to pay more and get less. Second, it surrenders to the demands of the insurance industry. Third, it introduces even more uncertainty into our health care system; its ‘hack first, ask questions later’ approach suggests the administration’s approach will be careless, uneven, and unpredictable.
Seeing clearly through disinformation, word-fog, and tweet distractions has never been more important. Resistance demands clarity and focus (and a little bit of wonkiness). We’re asking you to read the details of what’s happening and to share this update with 5 friends who you know will act with you to save the Affordable Care Act. We won’t let misinformation deter us from acting.
Here’s a quick summary:
In Section 1 of the Executive Order, President Trump opens the door to the deregulation of the interstate sale of insurance.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – As Republican congressional leaders plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act in January, grassroots leaders from four top Minnesota community groups and two prominent unions held actions at the offices of two Republican congressmen, to let the lawmakers know they oppose cuts in health care in the state.
Representatives from the State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Minnesota Nurses Association, the community religious group Isaiah, TakeAction Minnesota, the Land Stewardship Project and the Main Street Alliance of Minnesota descended on Reps. Erik Paulsen and Tom Emmer, voicing concerns about the future of health care in the state.
The unions and their allies are primarily responding to the imminent threat facing the Affordable Care Act, which has helped millions of Americans gain access to health insurance for the first time, extended health care to adult children until they are 26 years old and offered protections and access to healthcare to millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.
They took the firm stance that if any change is to be made, it should improve and strengthen the policies, not bankrupt the entire American health care system while padding the pockets of insurance companies and big business.
Similar groups are planning similar actions nationwide to protect the ACA.… Continue reading »
Join us for a phone bank for Take Action-endorsed candidate’s Dan Wolgamott, Zachary Dorholt, and Abdi Daisane! On October 16th we are encouraging PCA’s, home health workers, and their allies to join us for a door knock as we support the candidates who support care providers!
Join us for a phone bank for Take Action-endorsed candidate’s Dan Wolgamott, Zachary Dorholt, and Abdi Daisane! On October 16th we are encouraging PCA’s, home health workers, and their allies to join us for a door knock as we support the candidates who support care providers!
Join us for a door knock for Take Action-endorsed candidate’s Dan Wolgamott, Zachary Dorholt, and Abdi Daisane! On October 15th we are encouraging PCA’s, home health workers, and their allies to join us for a door knock as we support the candidates who support care providers!
On Sunday October 2nd, join Take Action Minnesota’s endorsed candidates Dan Wolgamott (State Senate) Zachary Dorholt (State House) and Abdi Daisane (City Council At Large) for a Sunday brunch and door knock!
Minnesota, Iowa and many other states will experience sharp increases in health insurance premiums for individual plans.
Rate increases are expected to range from 35 percent to 66 percent, a decision made by the insurance companies.
It’s a difficult situation for farmers because they often purchase insurance on their own. They are among the 300,000 Minnesota residents who don’t obtain insurance through an employer.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has left the individual market, leaving people to scramble for options.
Many Minnesotans are concerned about the impacts of the existing healthcare model. Paul Sobocinski of the Land Stewardship Project is working to inform farmers of what’s going on and decide what to do.
“Before you get to the exact solution, you have to get people to recognize there is a serious problem,” he said. “Profit is driving the model rather than people’s health. We need a system that’s centered around people. We need much better insight and digging apart of this problem by the Minnesota Legislature.”
Ryan and Tiffany Batalden, farmers based in Lamberton, have been directly affected by the healthcare turmoil. Ryan has Type 1 diabetes and was covered through MCHA before it dissolved. The Bataldens switched to BCBS to allow them to continue seeing the same doctors.… Continue reading »
