Health care is a basic human right and should be easily accessible and affordable to all Minnesotans. Coverage should be simple to access and include dental, vision, and mental health care, in addition to medical coverage. Advocating for a single-payer healthcare was one of the signature reasons for my running for office in the first place. I now serve on the Commerce Committee in the House, which oversees Minnesota’s insurance market, and am the co-chair of the Minnesota Health Plan Caucus, a caucus dedicated to getting MN to a single payer model.  

I hear from Minnesotans across all walks of life and income levels that they are not getting the care they need. It is complicated to get good care and even when care is accessible, the cost proves to be a huge strain on family finances. 

During my first term the DFL-controlled legislature made some wonderful improvements in healthcare, though there is much work to be done. We opened up MinnesotaCare, the most affordable basic health plan subsidized by the state, for all Minnesotans who qualify, including undocumented immigrants. We expanded mental health resources across the state and expanded our Medical Assistance program.

In my second term in St. Paul, with a tied house, the DFL caucus was able to brush back Republican attempts to give more payouts to health insurance companies off of the back from taxpayers.

But we need to do more.

I’m asking you to send me back to St. Paul so that I can continue this work until all Minnesotans have access to affordable and accessible care.