Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. Too many Minnesotans, including those who are self-employed, own a small business such as a farm, age off their parents’ insurance, or retire before they are eligible for Medicare, have no choice but to purchase insurance on an individual market plagued by high deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. And so many of our essential and frontline workers are excluded from health coverage altogether because of their immigration status.
Minnesota is lucky to have an affordable health insurance option for low-income working Minnesotans. It’s called MinnesotaCare. It was created in 1992 with bipartisan support. A MinnesotaCare Public Option would open up this insurance to those who do not have access to employer-based coverage, paying a premium based on their income. Currently, 300,000 Minnesotans are uninsured and tens of thousands of Minnesotans have no health insurance option except high-deductible plans that are too expensive to use. Meanwhile, our state has spent over $1 billion propping up the failed individual health insurance market with “reinsurance.” Minnesotans deserve a better deal.
For years, Land Stewardship Project member-leaders on the Healthcare Steering Committee have been working to expand access to affordable and usable healthcare. During the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature, we have the chance to pass a MinnesotaCare Public Option (HF96/SF49), opening up this trusted public health insurance program to those who do not have employer-based coverage.
How to Take Action
Contact the Legislature
To tell your legislators to pass the MinnesotaCare Public Option, click here.
Information Session March 27
Participate in the MinnesotaCare Public Option virtual information session on Monday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.
Share Your Healthcare Story
We want to hear from you. Tell us how high healthcare costs are affecting you. Elected officials need to hear our stories; we’ll use them to elevate this issue with lawmakers and advocate for a Public Option. Share your story by clicking here.
Sign the Public Option Petition
LSP is part of a broad coalition of organizations that support a Public Option, including Minnesota Farmers Union, TakeAction MN, SEIU, Springboard for the Arts, UNIDOS MN, ISAIAH, MN-AFLCIO, MN Budget Project, and Committee To Protect Healthcare. Sign the petition calling for a MinnesotaCare Public Option here.
Join LSP for our Family Farm Breakfast & Lobby Day
On Thursday, April 13, join us for “The Best Breakfast in Town” and then get a chance to talk to your legislators about why healthcare is important to you. To register, click here.
