Tag: Melissa Hortman

Wednesday at 10:30: House DFL hosts roundtable to address soaring cost of insulin

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Minnesota House DFL lawmakers have announced plans for a series of Community Conversations across the state to give Minnesotans an opportunity to share their concerns and ideas for improving access to insulin and addressing the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. The first roundtable is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 120 of the State Capitol. Live video will be available courtesy of House Public Information Services here. Minnesotans who depend on insulin for themselves and their families and have experienced high costs are invited to join legislators to discuss the next steps to solve this crisis facing far too many Minnesotans.

“Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford the lifesaving medications they need, like insulin,” said Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman. “The DFL Majority in the Minnesota House passed and sent to conference committee a strong proposal that would both help Minnesotans and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for the greed that is fueling this crisis. After the work of a bipartisan group of legislators, it’s critical to bring the public back into this process. We need to hear directly from Minnesotans about how this issue affects them and how best to address it.”

The price of insulin has tripled in the last decade, and studies indicate that 1 in 4 diabetics have resorted to rationing their insulin due to the high cost. During the last legislative session, the DFL-led Minnesota House passed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act as part of the House Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill. Named for a Richfield resident who tragically died after being forced to ration his insulin due to the high cost of the drug, the bill would establish an emergency supply of insulin for diabetics who are unable to pay for prescription refills. Reimbursements for pharmacies would be paid through a fee on insulin manufacturers. Continue reading “Wednesday at 10:30: House DFL hosts roundtable to address soaring cost of insulin”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: August 9, 2019

Dear Deb,

It was great to see so many of you at National Night Out/Night to Unite this week! Special thanks to the Coon Rapids Fire Department for letting me tag along with them!

Read on for updates on gun violence prevention, insulin affordability, and a closer look at this year’s agriculture budget. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: August 9, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on bipartisan negotiations on the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act:

“I appreciate the work done by a bipartisan group of legislators to address insulin affordability and emergency access this interim,” said Speaker Hortman. “While it’s encouraging that they appear close to agreement on how a program would function, it seems the funding source remains a sticking point. Insulin costs have nearly tripled in the last two decades and the corporate greed fueling this crisis is unconscionable. That’s why the DFL majority in the Minnesota House passed and sent to conference a complete plan that would both help Minnesotans and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable. We remain ready to move forward. I’m hopeful in the coming weeks we will be able to get an agreement with Senate Republicans on funding.”

“House DFLers remain committed to addressing the high price of insulin and standing up to the pharmaceutical companies profiting off of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “This bipartisan progress is positive news, but there is more work to be done to finalize the funding source and ensure Minnesotans have access to the insulin they need to survive.”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

The summer is flying by — it’s hard to believe it’s nearly August!

National Night Out and Night to Unite events are just around the corner, happening on Tuesday, August 6th. These events are designed to help you get to know your neighbors, strengthen police and community partnerships, and have fun!

You can learn more about participating or hosting a block party in your neighborhood by visiting the Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids websites.

Meeting Liberia’s Speaker of the House
This week, I had the opportunity to meet the Honorable Dr. Bhofal Chambers, Speaker of the House for the House of Representatives in Liberia. It was nice to meet him, show him around the House chamber, and discuss a variety of issues, including Liberia’s economy and security. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 25, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on changes in leadership at the Minnesota Department of Human Services

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Governor Walz announced Tony Lourey’s resignation as commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and appointed Pam Wheelock as acting commissioner.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“We are grateful to Tony Lourey for his years of service and dedication to Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “The work of the Department of Human Services is critical to the people of Minnesota and we are ready to work with Governor Walz and his administration to ensure its success.”

“We have confidence in the Walz administration and look forward to working together with Interim Commissioner Wheelock to make sure the Department of Human Services serves the needs of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler.

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 3, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Independence Day is tomorrow — I hope you get a chance to enjoy some beautiful weather and fireworks!

Coon Rapids has a number of activities planned for the 4th of July, including fireworks at 10pm on Thursday. You can find the full list here. Brooklyn Park will be holding an ice cream social this Saturday from 12pm-4pm at the Historic Eidem Farm.

The view from my home is appropriate for the week of Independence Day: red (lilies), white (Shasta daisies), & blue (delphinium)!

New Laws as of July 1
July 1, 2019 marks the start of Minnesota’s new two-year state budget and a number of new laws go into effect. Here are some of the highlights: Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 3, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 24, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

With the budget complete and session over, I wanted to take some time unpacking each of the ten major budget bills in my e-updates. This week, I’ll start with the E-12 Education Budget Bill.

E-12 Education Budget
All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education, and the Minnesota House DFL made that a goal from the first day of session.

In April, under my leadership the House passed an E-12 Education Budget bill that included a $900 million increase in funding. We would have provided a 3 percent and 2 percent increase to the general education formula over the next two years along with significant funding for special education, funding for programs to increase the number of teachers of color in the state, funding for varied pathways to post-secondary education (both college and career/technical), and funding to help schools meet the specific needs of students. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 24, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on insulin, prescription drug affordability

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements after Governor Walz’s insulin roundtable event this morning:

“Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford lifesaving medications they need, like insulin,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House stands ready to take meaningful action on insulin affordability and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable.”

“Senate Republicans killed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act and sold out to Big Pharma,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The skyrocketing price increases for drugs like insulin have to do with one thing: greed. House DFLers are committed to addressing the high prices of prescription drugs and standing up to the pharmaceutical companies profiting off Minnesotans.”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 7, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the start of summer! With a wet and cold spring, it took a little longer than we may have liked, but it’s finally here.  Right now, my whole yard and house are full of the scent of lilacs, and my husband and I are enjoying dinners on the deck. June is an awfully nice time to be in Minnesota!

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 that ended on May 25th.

We’re pleased to have enacted a budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. While the budget didn’t contain everything DFLers wanted, this bipartisan agreement with Governor Walz and Senate Republicans is in the best interest of Minnesotans.

Top highlights of the budget include: Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 7, 2019”

Statement from Speaker Hortman on special session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, Governor Walz called for a special session to be convened at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“We have a bipartisan agreement to pass a balanced state budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. We look forward to completing this work to benefit Minnesotans with Republicans and Governor Walz.”