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In 2024 session, policymakers progress toward improving health care and child care
May 29, 2024 • Jessie Luévano
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
While 2024 was not a budget-setting year for the state, policymakers made use of the limited resources they had to build on last year’s transformational investments and took steps to set the state up for a brighter future. This blog takes a look at the policy and budget decisions made this year to make affordable health care and child care available to more Minnesotans.
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Decisions in session’s final days should strengthen health care and child care for Minnesotans
May 14, 2024 • Jessie Luévano
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
In 2023, policymakers made transformational budget investments for the well-being of Minnesotans and their families. While 2024 is not a budget-setting year for the state, there are policy decisions at play in the final days of the legislative session that could set the stage for further progress next year.
Brief
2023 Health and Human Services budget will expand access to affordable care
August 31, 2023 • Jessie Luévano
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Policy and budget choices made this year will set up Minnesota to be a healthier state and ensure a more… Continue reading 2023 Health and Human Services budget will expand access to affordable care
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Medicaid renewal deadline for first group extended to August 1
July 20, 2023 • Jessie Luévano
Health Care
In March 2023 a policy implemented at the start of the COVID19 public health emergency, which kept Minnesotans’ health coverage… Continue reading Medicaid renewal deadline for first group extended to August 1
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House-Senate conference committee considering investments to expand affordable health care
May 11, 2023 • Jessie Luévano
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
With a historic state budget surplus of $17.5 billion for FY 2024-25 and a $5.4 billion structural balance for FY 2026-27,… Continue reading House-Senate conference committee considering investments to expand affordable health care
Brief
Expanding health care options for immigrants benefits us all
April 25, 2023 • Jessie Luévano
Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how our own health and the health of our neighbors and communities are interconnected, and the… Continue reading Expanding health care options for immigrants benefits us all
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Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities
February 1, 2023 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Immigration, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Walz administration’s recently released budget proposal names as their priorities making Minnesota the best state for children, investing in… Continue reading Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities
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Inflation Reduction Act advances economic relief, tax equity, and climate response
October 25, 2022 • Joo Ning Lim
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Health Care
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) marks the latest federal effort to help families make ends meet while delivering transformative investments… Continue reading Inflation Reduction Act advances economic relief, tax equity, and climate response
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Mental health bill takes important steps forward in addressing state’s crisis
June 7, 2022 • Becca O'Donnell
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Minnesota legislators took important steps toward shoring up our state’s mental health system by allocating $93 million over three years aimed at increasing the number of providers, supporting mental health crisis services, and reducing racial disparities in mental health services.
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Policymakers should do more for workers with disabilities
April 21, 2022 • Becca O'Donnell
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
House and Senate bills take different approaches to human services and health care Supports for workers who care for elderly… Continue reading Policymakers should do more for workers with disabilities
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Walz’s updated budget proposal responds to larger state budget surplus
April 6, 2022 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Policymakers have a historic opportunity this year to tackle the ongoing health and economic effects of the pandemic, and make… Continue reading Walz’s updated budget proposal responds to larger state budget surplus
Brief
Minnesotans need continuous health insurance coverage
March 25, 2022 • Becca O'Donnell
Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy, Minnesota Budget
Minnesota has a strong history of investments in health care and has the capacity to make our health care system… Continue reading Minnesotans need continuous health insurance coverage
Brief
Public investments make health care affordable and save lives
March 3, 2022 • Becca O'Donnell
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Health care should be accessible and affordable for all, regardless of paycheck, address, race, ethnicity, gender, or disability. Minnesota has… Continue reading Public investments make health care affordable and save lives
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A first look at Governor Walz’s supplemental budget proposal
February 2, 2022 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The state of Minnesota has resources to draw on to start building a more equitable future, focusing on what Minnesotans… Continue reading A first look at Governor Walz’s supplemental budget proposal
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Minnesota’s new FY 2022-23 budget takes important steps toward the recovery, falls short of transformational change
August 24, 2021 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
State policymakers had a critical task this legislative session: setting a state budget for the next two years that meets… Continue reading Minnesota’s new FY 2022-23 budget takes important steps toward the recovery, falls short of transformational change
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Governor and Legislature lay out their visions for the FY 2022-23 budget
May 14, 2021 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
What do Minnesotans need to get through the continuing disruption from a pandemic and economic recession, and how do we… Continue reading Governor and Legislature lay out their visions for the FY 2022-23 budget
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The American Rescue Plan – a buoy for workers, families, essential public services, and the economy
April 6, 2021 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
The American Rescue Plan provides important and much needed economic support for struggling workers and their families, will protect and expand crucial public services that they count on, and will further jumpstart the economy, but funding is largely focused on the near-term.
Brief
Affordable Care Act: Minnesota has much at stake
January 13, 2021 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Budget, Health Care
A decade ago, the Affordable Care Act – also known as the ACA or “Obamacare” – became the law of… Continue reading Affordable Care Act: Minnesota has much at stake
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New data confirm states need more federal Medicaid support
August 3, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
What does a global pandemic plus a severe economic recession equal? More people who need affordable health care. We’re seeing data… Continue reading New data confirm states need more federal Medicaid support
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US Senate COVID-19 relief package falls dramatically short of what nation needs
July 28, 2020 • Laura Mortenson
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Health Care, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
Millions of people across the country are suffering and having a hard time just getting by. In the face of… Continue reading US Senate COVID-19 relief package falls dramatically short of what nation needs
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Bonnie Tyler wasn’t wrong: We need a HERO
July 9, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Work
The HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act proposal is a needed Congressional effort to address the ongoing… Continue reading Bonnie Tyler wasn’t wrong: We need a HERO
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Special session victory: common-sense approaches reduce barriers during pandemic
July 7, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care, Income and Work
Common-sense measures to remove barriers to health care, food support, and other needed services will continue, thanks to legislation passed in the June special legislative session.
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Work remains to advance health, safety, and economic security
July 2, 2020 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
What did and did not happen in the June special session to address Minnesotans’ health, safety, and economic priorities?
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May budget report reveals the need to support everyday folks
May 5, 2020 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
The May budget projection will guide the decisions that policymakers make in the remaining weeks of the legislative session, and the months beyond. They remind us of how many of our neighbors are struggling, and the importance of taking swift action to reduce the hardships that Minnesotans and their families are facing as a result of the pandemic, and to start building for the economic recovery.
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Increased Medicaid funding to states protects health care, critical services
May 4, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Issues, Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
While they have taken some preliminary steps, federal decision-makers should further boost the Medicaid dollars it sends to states, make that increase last until the economy recovers, and maintain strong requirements to protect health care coverage.
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Coronavirus responses should include all our neighbors, including immigrants
April 23, 2020 • Abimael Chavez-Hernandez
Federal Issues, Health Care, Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy
Excluding immigrant Minnesotans – who make up close to 9 percent of our state’s population – puts them and their families at risk, and it makes it more difficult for our state and communities to recover from this public health crisis.
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Racial equity should be at the core of coronavirus responses
April 7, 2020 • Abimael Chavez-Hernandez
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care, Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
Due to the impact of historical racism and ongoing forms of discrimination and bias, BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) will more acutely feel the economic and health effects of this coronavirus crisis. Without attention to equity, they are more likely to be left out of the policy responses.
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A look at the first federal policy steps to combat coronavirus, address economic impact
March 26, 2020 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
The federal government has begun to respond to the coronavirus with legislation over the past few weeks. The first was… Continue reading A look at the first federal policy steps to combat coronavirus, address economic impact
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Walz and Legislature working to combat coronavirus
March 26, 2020 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work
Even though goings on at the Capitol look a little different right now in response to the novel coronavirus, policymakers… Continue reading Walz and Legislature working to combat coronavirus
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Minnesota moderately well prepared to respond to looming recession
March 25, 2020 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
As we grapple with a rapidly changing economy due to the coronavirus and an all but certain recession, a new… Continue reading Minnesota moderately well prepared to respond to looming recession
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Policymakers must act to prevent economic hardship, deep recession
March 17, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Child Care, Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Work, Minnesota Budget
The corona virus is creating a public health emergency and economic disruption. Policymakers should act to alleviate financial hardship and reduce the threat of a deep recession.
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High rankings on health outcomes mask distressing racial disparities
February 10, 2020 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care
Minnesota’s overall high rank among states for various health outcomes masks worst-in-the-nation disparities. We must focus on addressing racial disparities and improving health equity to make Minnesota a state where everyone can live their healthiest lives.
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New research demonstrates unequivocally: Medicaid works, and work reporting requirements do not
November 25, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care
New research illustrates just how effective Medicaid is in improving peoples’ health, and just how dangerous limitations to access can be.
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New Census data shows some positive trends, but not everyone benefits
September 10, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Issues, Health Care, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work
The Census Bureau released new data today showing a 0.5 percent reduction in national poverty rates, making 2018 the fourth… Continue reading New Census data shows some positive trends, but not everyone benefits
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Critical funding for health care preserved but small gains in support for families
June 19, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Overall, the final HHS budget agreement is a mixed bag for Minnesotans.
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Global budget deal reached Sunday; more work needed to pass final budget
May 21, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
On Sunday evening after weeks of negotiations, legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz announced a global budget deal. This deal… Continue reading Global budget deal reached Sunday; more work needed to pass final budget
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New data tool allows everyone to find local data about impact of health care, provider tax
May 15, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) rolled out powerful new web-based tools chock-full of data about health care. The… Continue reading New data tool allows everyone to find local data about impact of health care, provider tax
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Provider tax: Why now is the time to repeal the sunset
May 6, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Minnesota’s health care provider tax raises nearly $680 million annually for affordable health care and investments in healthy communities across… Continue reading Provider tax: Why now is the time to repeal the sunset
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Real people, real communities: Why maintaining the provider tax is so important
May 6, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
It’s hard to avoid news about the health care provider tax if you follow politics in Minnesota. Our state’s provider… Continue reading Real people, real communities: Why maintaining the provider tax is so important
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A tale of two HHS omnibus bills: House and Senate offer dramatically different visions
April 29, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
The Minnesota House and Senate have wrapped up committee work on their omnibus budget bills. They present starkly opposed visions… Continue reading A tale of two HHS omnibus bills: House and Senate offer dramatically different visions
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Walz tax plan expands Working Family Credit, funds investments in schools and communities
April 8, 2019 • Nan Madden
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Narrowly defined, the primary responsibility for policymakers this legislative session is to pass the state’s next two-year budget. But more… Continue reading Walz tax plan expands Working Family Credit, funds investments in schools and communities
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Senate budget targets call for few investments, mostly flat funding
April 4, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The Minnesota Senate’s budget targets, released last week, give a high level picture of their budget outline. The Senate’s “Advancing… Continue reading Senate budget targets call for few investments, mostly flat funding
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Governor Walz’s revised budget raises additional revenues, adjusts spending to build shared prosperity
March 28, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Governor Tim Walz’s revised budget retains the Walz/Flanagan administration’s “One Minnesota” priorities, and augments the surplus by maintaining and raising revenues to invest in health care, education, broader economic opportunity, and transportation.
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Federal shutdown is over – but harm hit home
March 14, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care
The partial federal government shutdown that began on December 22, 2018, and concluded on January 25 of this year was… Continue reading Federal shutdown is over – but harm hit home
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Walz-Flanagan human services budget proposal focuses on people
March 11, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Governor Tim Walz’s budget proposes over $300 million in new health and human services investments to help Minnesotans stay healthy… Continue reading Walz-Flanagan human services budget proposal focuses on people
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Governor Walz’s FY 2020-21 budget proposal makes important investments to build prosperity in Minnesota
February 19, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
In his release of his FY 2020-21 budget proposal today, Governor Tim Walz outlined his priorities for “One Minnesota” that would raise funds to… Continue reading Governor Walz’s FY 2020-21 budget proposal makes important investments to build prosperity in Minnesota
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How to read the Health Care Access Fund statement
February 1, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Each state budget forecast includes the release of an updated Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) balance sheet. While this document… Continue reading How to read the Health Care Access Fund statement
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Investments in healthy people, healthy communities at stake this session with fate of provider tax
January 9, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Funding for affordable health care for one million Minnesotans is at risk in the 2019 Legislative Session because the health care… Continue reading Investments in healthy people, healthy communities at stake this session with fate of provider tax
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Plans to cut federal economic security programs take aim at wrong target
September 19, 2018 • Sarah Orange
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care
Federal investments in family economic security – including stable housing, nutritious food, affordable health care, education and training, and boosting family… Continue reading Plans to cut federal economic security programs take aim at wrong target
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New Census data highlights Minnesota’s long-term progress in health coverage and the need to continue to invest
September 12, 2018 • Sarah Orange
Health Care
All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to live healthy lives and get the treatment they need for asthma, diabetes, or a… Continue reading New Census data highlights Minnesota’s long-term progress in health coverage and the need to continue to invest