Friends,
Earlier this fall, I held a press conference with Senator Senjem discussing my idea for an "identity theft passport" that will be a tool for victims and law enforcement officials. You can read stories on the press conference from KARE 11. The Post Bulletin. And more. With my proposal, any Minnesotan who has been a victim of identity theft and filed a report with law enforcement may apply for an identity theft passport through the law enforcement agency. The local law enforcement agency would send a copy of the police report and the application to the DPS Commissioner who would issue the passport to the identity theft victim.
The identity theft passport would be used by the victim to prove their identity to other local law enforcement and to help the victims reclaim their financial health in a quicker manner by being able to prove their identity.
This week, I met with the commerce department to discuss moving forward with this and eventual implementation. It was a productive meeting and they were open to the idea of the identity theft passport. During the meeting, I brought up the possibility of a compact with other states working with and on similar programs. With the regional and national nature of most financial institutions, this would be even more useful for victims. The priority is helping Minnesotans first, however, I will continue to investigate the feasibility of this aspect of the plan.
I have also heard from financial institutions that are supportive of the idea of the identity theft passport. It will help them to assist costumers looking to regain their financial security following a breach.
These meetings have been quite productive and I am more convinced than ever that the identity theft passport is something that we need and moving forward on it this session is a real possibility.
Pharmacogenomics and a Genetic Marker Pilot
For the first time, Americans are spending more money on prescription drugs than on in hospital or doctor care. We must find ways to decrease the money being spent on prescription drugs if we are to seriously address the high costs of health care in the US. One remedy for this is to make sure doctors prescribe the correct medicine and correct dosage the first time. Every patient is a unique individual, and currently, it can take multiple variations of drugs and dosages in order to get the right one for a given individual.
After speaking with experts on how best to tackle this issue, I will continue to push my bill, HF 402, that will create a pharmacogenomics and a genetic marker pilot program. This will create a voluntary pilot program that will report on cost savings and health outcomes the program delivers. The purpose of this program is to refine the understanding of disease onset and progression, treatment response, and health outcomes through more precise measurement of genetic factors that contribute to health and disease. The eventual goal is to provide better, more efficient health care at lower costs due to the ability to get things right the first time.
This week, I met with representatives from the University of Minnesota and next week I will meet with the Mayo Clinic about the best way to move forward to make a pilot program in Minnesota a reality. I will continue to work on this legislation and keep you up to date on developments as we move forward.
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Thank you and have a great week,
Duane