STATEMENT: Health Care Advocates Statement In Support of the House HHS Omnibus Bill Expected to Pass Today

NEWS STATEMENT

Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa

kenza@takeactionminnesota.org (612) 386-9556

Health Care Advocates Statement In Support of the House HHS Omnibus Bill Expected to Pass Today

St. Paul—The Minnesota House is expected to pass its omnibus Health and Human Services bill today, which protects and expands affordable health care, reins in drug prices, and prevents for-profit health plans from privatizing billions of dollars in public-interest assets. The bill repeals the sunset of the health care provider tax, establishes ONECare to expand access to quality health care, and improves MinnesotaCare. Groups representing farmers, small business owners, nurses, health care workers, and concerned Minnesotans released the following statements in support of the House bill.

The Land Stewardship Project released the following statement on the health care provider tax:“We applaud the Minnesota House for recognizing that every person is inherently valuable and deserves quality healthcare by supporting the provider tax. The House thoughtfully continued the bipartisan initiative of Governor Arne Carlson and the legislature that created the provider tax and brought stability to the funding of Minnesota’s essential healthcare priorities, including MinnesotaCare.We stand with Governor Walz and over 150 organizations including farmers, labor, hospitals, nurses, religious groups, and social services advocates in support of continuing the provider tax.”

The Minnesota Nurses Association released the following statement on HMO conversions:“Without action from the Legislature this year, our government will leave the door open for a legal health care heist. The House bill recognizes that Minnesota’s health plans take in billions of dollars every year–these are public-interest assets that should be going to care for patients, not to corporate profits or CEO salaries. MNA nurses applaud the House vote on the HHS omnibus bill, and urge the Senate to do the same.”

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota released the following statement on action to rein in pharmaceutical costs: Dawn Burnfin, a mother, home care worker from the Iron Range and member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, praised the HHS omnibus bill as she shared the story of her daughter needing and not being able to afford basic medicine for over a year because of the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs.

“After getting sick, my daughter was prescribed drugs from her doctor that would have taken care of the health issue she was facing. But the out of pocket costs to get those would $375, so she didn’t fill them. She couldn’t. She didn’t have $375. She recently got insurance and was able to get her medicine, but not only did she suffered for almost a year, she could have wound up dead, lost her ability to have children in the future or lost her job,” said Burnfin “And now she’s in debt several thousands of dollars. My daughter’s life very easily could have been ruined, or ended, over $375. Thank goodness it was not. In America in 2019, no one should find themselves in the situation she was put in.”

Main Street Alliance released the following statement on the ONECare Buy-In:

“Healthcare costs are the number one issue keeping small business owners up at night.We continue to see costs and deductibles increase, while benefits and access decrease for our employees and our families. For my company, it costs $3 for every employee hour worked and health care for my family of three is over $25,000 a year, more than 25% of our household income” said Kevin Brown, owner of Smart Set in North Minneapolis.

“Small businesses, farmers, and working Minnesotans need an expanded public option.We are happy that the House has listen to small business owners around the state to create ONEcare which sets the groundwork for a simple, affordable, and accessible health care option.”

TakeAction Minnesota released the following statement on replacing reinsurance with premium subsidies and state based tax credits:

“Our government is responsible for making health care work for everyone. We support the Minnesota House’s approach to reducing health insurance costs through premium subsidies and tax credits while the state continues to work toward long-term health care solutions. Even with reinsurance, Minnesotans are struggling to afford health care. Mary Kotas, a nurse from Minneapolis, spent 50% of her take home income on health care in 2018, once prescription drug costs, premiums, and high deductibles are accounted for.”

“We need long-term solutions, and Minnesotans need immediate relief. The best short-term option is to provide premium subsidies and tax credits directly to Minnesotans–there is no reason why we should write blank checks to health insurance companies.”

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