MINUTES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION FIFTIETH MEETING
HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE DIVISION
Thomas E. Huntley, Chair
Representative Neva Walker chaired and began the fiftieth meeting at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2008, in Room 200 of the State Office Building without a quorum present.
The Division heard testimony from the following individuals relating to the impact of Governor Pawlenty's Supplemental Budget Recommendations presented at the previous meeting:
Erma Vizenor, Chairwoman, White Earth Tribal Nation
Mark McAfee, Legislative Representative, AFSCME Council 5
Commissioner John Baerg, Watonwan County, on behalf of Association of MN Counties and the Minnesota Inter-County Association
Mary Wellick, Olmstead County Public Health Director, Local Public Health Association
and Association of Minnesota Counties
Jim Behrends, Director, Adult Services, Olmstead County, on behalf of MN Association of County Social Service Associations
Bruce Nelson, Executive Director, Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota
A quorum present at 1:19 p.m., Chairwoman Walker officially called the meeting to order and the clerk noted the roll:
Members Present:
Huntley, Chair
Abeler
Anderson, B.
Brod
Bunn
Dean
Erickson
Fritz
Gottwalt
Liebling
Loeffler
Murphy, E.
Otremba
Peppin
Peterson, S.
Ruud
Slawik
Thao
Thissen
Walker
Members Excused:
Hosch, Co-chair
Testimony continued with:
Anne Henry, Staff Attorney, Minnesota Disability Law Center
Rita McAninch-Hastings, Direct Support Professional, Dakota Communities Inc.
Anna Tockman for Ghita Worcester, U Care
Rachel Tschida and DeAnn Rice, Axis Health Care
Steve Larson, Co-chair, Consortium for Persons With Disabilities and Public Policy Director of The Arc of Minnesota introduced Don Bordsen and Bernadette Hughes (both Arc members) who shared their personal stories with the Division. Mr. Larson also gave brief testimony.
Jeff Lindoo, Pharmacist, Alexandria, on behalf of:
Minnesota Pharmacists Association
Minnesota Retailers Association
Minnesota Grocers Association
National Association of Chain Drugstores
Carole Specktor, Legislative Affairs Director, Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota
Julie Bruner, Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Mary Braddock, Pediatrician, Director of Child Health Policy, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota, on behalf of the Minnesota Hospital Association
Paul Cassidy, Director, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota
Dr. George Schoephoerster, Family Physician, St. Cloud, on behalf of Minnesota Medical
Association
Kim Hosmer and Linden Gawboy, Welfare Rights Committee
Representative Otremba moved approval of the March 11, 2008 minutes. The motion prevailed. The minutes were approved.
Final testimony was from Lauri Anderso, White Bear Lake Care Center
The Chair apologized on behalf of the Division to those in the audience who were unable to testify due to the time constraint, but encouraged them make their concerns known to members via personal meetings, letters, emails and phone calls as the process continues.
Chairwoman Walker adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
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Neva Walker, Chair
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Jan Horner, Committee Legislative Assistant