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Press Release

United States of Care Issues Statement in Response to the Passage of Minnesota’s Public Option Legislation

Published On May 23, 2023

Saint Paul, MN — In response to yesterday’s passage of SF 2995 by the Minnesota Legislature, which starts the process of creating a public option to expand the state’s MinnesotaCare program, United States of Care released the following statement from CEO and co-founder Natalie Davis, highlighting the positive impact this legislation would have on advancing equity and improving health care affordability in Minnesota and urging Governor Tim Walz to sign this bill into law:

“Minnesota is now joining the growing league of states moving towards providing their residents with affordable, comprehensive health care coverage through a public option. United States of Care is proud to have worked with advocates like TakeAction Minnesota, who partnered with Senate and House leadership to advance this legislation. 

“Like much of the nation, concerns about cost serve as a major barrier for Minnesotans seeking care, with people of color in particular facing difficulties accessing affordable care. Minnesota’s public option would lower costs and provide people with high-quality coverage they can depend on. Building on the success of MinnesotaCare itself, this new source of coverage would provide people with peace of mind, including those who have traditionally been left out of coverage. 

“All people deserve access to health insurance, regardless of where they work, how much money they make, their age, medical conditions, marital status, family composition, or immigration status. By moving towards creating a public option, and expanding MinnesotaCare to include adults and children who are undocumented, this legislation would go a long way towards improving health equity and benefiting all residents. 

“We urge Governor Tim Walz to sign SF 2995 into law to move forward with creating Minnesota’s public option, expanding access to care for all of Minnesota’s communities, and providing Minnesotans struggling to afford health care with affordable, dependable coverage.”

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About United States of Care

United States of Care is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kevin Perez-Allen

(714) 499-4481

[email protected]