A healthier Minnesota starts with affordable health care
The ability to afford health care shouldn’t depend on someone’s paycheck or address. Our state has a history of investing in health care, healthy communities, and the well-being of Minnesotans. That’s paid off in strong rates of health care coverage. But there’s more to do, including dismantling barriers to living healthy lives that many people of color and people in rural areas face.
Our health care work focuses on the effects of state and federal health care policies on Minnesotans’ ability to live healthy lives and get the care they need to thrive.
Protecting health care for Minnesotans
Over 1 million Minnesotans — including children, older adults in nursing homes, people with disabilities, and families living on low incomes — receive health care and services through Minnesota’s Medicaid program, Medical Assistance (MA).
In July, Congress passed a federal reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) that introduces massive cuts to Medicaid and would jeopardize the health care of the many Minnesotans who depend on Medicaid to stay healthy and financially secure.
More than 150 Minnesota organizations — including health care providers, insurers, nonprofits, service organizations, patient advocacy groups, and worker representatives — are deeply concerned about these harmful cuts to health care.
We’ve created a toolkit and an action alert for interested nonprofits and health care advocates who want to join us in protecting Medicaid.
Publications
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Minnesota Budget Project weighs in on proposed federal Medicaid restrictions
August 14, 2026 • Jessie Luévano
Federal Issues, Health Care
The federal government recently proposed new restrictions that could cause health coverage loss for more Minnesotans under Medicaid work reporting requirements. During the public comment period where organizations and individuals could weigh in, the Minnesota Budget Project submitted the following letter.
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Not with a bang but a fizzle: Minnesota policymakers kick the can to 2027
June 3, 2026 • Minnesota Budget Project
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
In the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session, we called on policymakers to take bold action to protect Minnesotans’ health and well-being… Continue reading Not with a bang but a fizzle: Minnesota policymakers kick the can to 2027
Brief
Health coverage at risk for 128,000 Minnesotans subject to new Medicaid work reporting requirements
May 14, 2026 • Jessie Luévano
Federal Issues, Health Care
In Minnesota, roughly 1 million people have health care coverage through Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance (MA).[1] Nationally, about… Continue reading Health coverage at risk for 128,000 Minnesotans subject to new Medicaid work reporting requirements
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How Walz‘s supplemental budget responds to dramatic federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP
May 5, 2026 • Jessie Luévano
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Governor Tim Walz’s supplemental budget proposal, released in March, shows us the administration’s starting approach for dealing with the harmful… Continue reading How Walz‘s supplemental budget responds to dramatic federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP
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89,000 Minnesotans will see their health insurance costs increase unless Congress acts now
October 29, 2025 • Jessie Luévano
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Health Care
If Congress does not act soon, Minnesotans across the state will see their health insurance costs spike for 2026. As open enrollment nears and the expiration of enhancements on premium tax credits loom, many across the state are seeing their health care premiums for next year increase by more than 50 percent.