Tag: 2019 Minnesota legislature

Gov. Walz signs comprehensive response to opioid crisis into law

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Governor Tim Walz today signed into law a comprehensive response to Minnesota’s opioid crisis that holds Big Pharma accountable. In 2017, there were more than 2,000 visits to Minnesota emergency rooms for opioid-involved overdoses, with 422 Minnesotans losing their lives. Since 2010, the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths has steadily increased each year. The new law, championed in the Minnesota House by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), becomes effective today.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the Minnesotans who have come forward to share how this crisis has impacted them, including countless family members who have lost loved ones, first responders, and professionals working in treatment and recovery,” said Rep. Olson, the House Majority Whip. “Getting this bill across the finish line required a great deal of compromise, but it highlights what we’re able to accomplish when we all recognize the significance of a problem and share a bipartisan commitment to solving it. Working together to implement these solutions, we can prevent future heartbreaking tragedies and hold Big Pharma accountable.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz signs comprehensive response to opioid crisis into law”

Gov. Walz approves Rep. Mann’s bill creating Rare Disease Advisory Council

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Governor Walz today held a ceremonial signing for Rep. Alice Mann’s bipartisan bill establishing an advisory council at the University of Minnesota focused on rare diseases. The council will provide advice on research, diagnosis, treatment and education related to rare diseases.

“This legislation will be a lifeline to families, like Chloe Barnes’, who have devoted their lives to a vision of a world where every rare disease has a treatment option,” said Rep. Alice Mann (DFL – Lakeville). “My hope is that this will help extend the highest standard of health care to people with all medical conditions.”

The bill will also identify problems faced by patients with a rare disease when changing health plans, and include recommendations on how to remove obstacles faced by those patients in finding a new health plan that meets their needs. Continue reading “Gov. Walz approves Rep. Mann’s bill creating Rare Disease Advisory Council”

Minnesota House of Representatives Adjourns Special Session, Completes Work on New State Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — This morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives finished its work on a new two-year budget for the State of Minnesota during a one-day special session.

“We’re pleased to have completed our work on a budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “While this budget doesn’t contain everything DFLers wanted, coming to this bipartisan agreement with Governor Walz and Senate Republicans is in the best interest of Minnesotans.”

Top highlights of the budget include:

    • Securing health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans by continuing the provider tax

    • Increasing funding for E-12 and higher education, including an increase in the E-12 funding formula, preserving 4,000 pre-K slots, and freezing the special education cross subsidy

Continue reading “Minnesota House of Representatives Adjourns Special Session, Completes Work on New State Budget”