NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa
(612) 386-9556
kenza@takeactionminnesota.org
May 9, 2019
Minnesotans hurt by Senate health care cuts hold an emergency ‘teach-in’ at the Capitol
Constituents from St. Cloud, Duluth, and the Metro share their stories and call on the Senate to protect health care and the provider tax
St. Paul, Minnesota—Today, Minnesotans who would be hurt by health care cuts proposed by the state Senate came to the Capitol to share their stories at an emergency ‘teach in.’ The GOP state Senate and DFL House and Governor have 11 days to pass a budget. Health care funding is a critical piece of their negotiations.
The state Senate did not include the health care provider tax in its budget proposal, which helps funds health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans and is set to expire this year.
For Minnesotans around the state, the debate over health care funding is personal, not political.
“As a Minnesotan living with a learning disability, chronic lifelong depression, anxiety, and other neurological conditions that have made it hard to maintain steady work, I have been grateful to receive quality care through public programs,” said Rachel Zemmer, a 63-year-old St. Paul resident. “I currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. I’m frightened of the threat to my well-being, my very life, that will come to pass if the provider tax is allowed to sunset.”
Ayase Griesy drove from St. Cloud to the Capitol to share her story and speak with Senator Jerry Relph about cuts to dental care.
“If I had access to dental care that covered what I need, I would not have rotten teeth that give me endless pain. Dental health care isn’t covered by Medicaid the same way as general health care,” said Griesy. “It covers the very basics, and at only a handful of clinics. That means I have to wait weeks to months to get an appointment. The health care proposal by the House has plans to expand dental access. But Senate Republicans are not just standing in the way of improvements, they are trying to cut funding for Medicaid. Now instead of fighting to get the dental coverage I deserve, I’m fighting to make sure I have coverage at all.”
“The decisions we are making are not just numbers on a spreadsheet,” said Rep. Tina Liebling. “They are about real people–some we may know and many we may never know. Everyone matters.”
“This health care crisis is entirely avoidable,” said Heather Taft from Duluth. “Minnesotans like me shouldn’t have to worry about losing our health care. If the Senate was standing with people of Minnesota, they’d see that and do the right thing.”
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, independent, multiracial people’s organization working to advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and campaigns. The organization has offices in St. Paul, Duluth, and St. Cloud.
