Gov. Tim Walz’s 5 Health Accomplishments

Since Vice President Kamala Harris chose Gov. Tim Walz (D, Minnesota) as her running mate, she has praised him for his contributions to improving health care, emphasizing his support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provided health insurance to millions of Americans. , and his continued commitment to strengthening it.¹ Harris also noted Walz’s efforts as governor of Minnesota to secure paid holidays for workers and to ensure that no student in public schools goes hungry by providing free breakfast and lunch. school for free.

As the governor of Minnesota since 2018, Walz has received respect for the high level of health care and efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Her record also includes advocacy for reproductive rights, mental health resources, and public health initiatives.

Here are 5 of Walz’s Health Achievements

1. Development of Mental Health Services

In 2022, Walz signed a $92.7 million mental health funding bill into law, aimed at strengthening Minnesota’s mental health infrastructure.² The law allocates $60 million to increase hospital bed capacity, attract new mental health professionals, and expand call center units. Another $30 million is dedicated to improving services for people in the criminal justice system who are found ineligible to stand trial. The bill also includes funding for children’s mental health services, telephone crisis services, and grants and loan forgiveness for mental health professionals, it shows a joint effort to improve access to mental health care and support across the country.

The following year, Walz signed into law the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force as part of the Health and Human Services Omnibus.³ Psychedelic drugs have gained attention recently after years of research examining their therapeutic effects, particularly among those living with PTSD, a possible way to improve the epidemic of suicide among war veterans. .⁴ The task force is responsible for providing legal advice on “legal, medical and policy issues related to the legalization of psychedelic drugs in the country.”³

2. Protecting Patients’ Freedom in Health Care Choices: Abortion, Gender Affirming Care.

Walz has long supported policies that protect people’s freedom to make their own health care decisions, especially those related to reproductive rights and gender care.

“My record is so unique, Nancy Pelosi asked me to take it down,” Walz told the crowd during his 2018 campaign event while running for governor.⁵ I stand with Planned Parenthood, and we will not do that!

Less than a year later the Supreme Court overturned Roe v WadeWalz took action to protect health care providers in Minnesota, where abortion is still legal, and those who come to Minnesota seeking an abortion by signing the bill into law.⁶ The Reproductive Freedom Protection Act protects health care professionals and patients, regardless of their country’s abortion laws, from legal attacks and criminal sanctions from other countries.

“Today, we’re defending the rights of Minnesotans and making sure our state remains a place where people have the freedom to get the care they need to live their full lives,” said Walz. .

On the same day, his signature would prohibit mental health professionals from practicing with vulnerable adults and clients under the age of 18. The bill also prohibits advertising practices that deceive or fraudulent for conversion therapy.

The third bill he signed protects those seeking or providing gender-affirming health care in Minnesota. Specifically, it prohibits federal courts or officials from acting on requests for removal, prosecution, arrest, or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care in the state.

3. Expanded Access to Affordable Care, and Reduced Medical Debt Burdens

Walz has been instrumental in improving access to and affordable health care in Minnesota.⁷ At 3.8%, Minnesota’s uninsured rate is also below the national average of 7.7%, which Walz achieved by making it easier for eligible state residents to purchase insurance. MNsure, the state’s health insurance marketplace, has signed up a record number of Minnesotans for private health plans.

Walz also signed legislation that eases the medical debt burden for state residents by providing several protections, including preventing medical debt from affecting credit scores, ending medical debt transfers to the patient’s spouse, and creating a strong defense against improper medical debt collection. traditions.⁸

4. Improving Environmental Health and Safety

By combining strategic approaches with collaborative efforts, the health and safety of Minnesota’s environment has been a priority for Walz.⁹ Under his leadership, the government implemented strict pollution laws, aimed at reducing air and water pollution to protect public health. He advocated the Clean Cars Minnesota project, which aims to reduce the heat of cars and promote the adoption of electric cars, which not only improve air quality but also reduce the effects of climate change. Recognizing the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized populations, he supported measures to ensure environmental justice, directing resources and attention to areas most affected by pollution. In addition, the Walz administration has led the cleanup of contaminated sites, often referred to as brownfields, to reduce health risks and revitalize local economies.

5. Reducing Prescription Drug Costs, Increasing Transparency

The governor has taken important steps to reduce prescription drug costs and improve insulin prices in Minnesota. Recognizing the financial burden of high drug prices on families, Walz advocated for legislation aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs for insulin, making Minnesota one of the first states to do so. such a law.¹⁰ The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, named after a young Minnesota man who tragically lost his life due to the distribution of insulin, was a major success under his leadership. This law mandates that pharmaceutical companies provide emergency insulin supplies to those in need free of charge, to ensure that no one is forced to go without this life-saving drug.

Additionally, Walz has supported broader efforts to control prescription drug prices by advocating for state-level reforms that increase drug price transparency and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for price gouging. which is not right.¹¹ His commitment to reducing drug costs is part of a broader plan to make health care accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans, especially those with chronic conditions that require continuous medicine.

References

1. Remarks by Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz at a campaign event. News Release. White House. August 6, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/08/06/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-and- governor-tim-walz-at-a-campaign-event/

2. Governor Walz signs mental health package into law. New Release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 2, 2022. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-529893

3. Section. 99: Psychedelic Medicine Task Force. Minnesota Session Laws (2023). Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/70/#laws.4.99.0

4. Grossi G. Bipartisan letter to President Biden highlights promise of MDMA treatment for PTSD. AJMC^®. August 7, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/bipartisan-letter-to-president-biden-highlights-promise-of-mdma-therapy-for-ptsd

5. Harris J. Tim Walz’ continuing record is so extreme that Nancy Pelosi asked him to ‘tone it down’. Western Journal. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tim-walz-progressive-record-is-so-extreme-nancy-pelosi-asked-him-to-tone-it-down/ar- AA1ooZ0g

6. Photos: Governor Walz signs three bills protecting Minnesotans’ rights. News Release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. April 27, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-575115

7. Cohen JP. VP picks Walz’s health policies match Harris’ record. Forbes. August 6, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2024/08/06/vp-pick-walzs-healthcare-policies-align-with-harris/

8. Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrate historic Minnesota climate legislation. News Release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. May 31, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=579538

9. Governor Walz holds a signing ceremony to help Minnesotans with their medical debt burden. News release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 17, 2024. Accessed August 9, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-627879

10. Governor Walz signs the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. New Release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. April 15, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-428439

11. Governor Walz announces action to bring transparency to prescription drug costs. News Release. Governor Tim Walz’s office and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 26, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/#/list/appId/1/filterType/searchkeyword/filterValue/drug%20task%20force/page /1 /group//order/