I am pictured here presenting my rural ambulance bill in committee on Wednesday
Dear Neighbors,
On Wednesday, a bill that I am carrying that would improve rural ambulance services in Greater Minnesota received a hearing in the Health and Human Services Reform Committee.
House File 3235 would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for ambulances in greater Minnesota by 5 percent. This legislation will, in turn, bring additional aid and funding for improved services for folks in our neck of the woods.
I am excited about this bill and look forward to working with my colleagues to gather support and guide it through the legislative process.
In addition, I had another piece of legislation receive a hearing this week in the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee.
House File 3652 would designate a portion of Highway 28 from Beardsley to Graceville in Big Stone County as the “Staff Sergeant Kevin Witte Memorial Highway.”
Staff Sergeant Kevin Witte was from Beardsley and died in combat while serving in Iraq in 2006. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
I was joined by Staff Sergeant Witte’s step-mother, Rhonda Wenker, at the hearing and I am proud to carry this bill that will carry on his memory.
Finally, I have signed on as a co-author of a bill that would repeal last year’s agricultural buffer bill.
Share your MNsure Experience
This past week, House Republicans in the State Government Finance Committee launched a website to gather feedback from Minnesotans who have been negatively impacted by MNsure.
MNsure must be held accountable to the people of our state, and if you have a personal experience you'd like to share, I encourage you to leave your comments on the new website here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cmte/comment.
Thanks to the numerous groups that took time to visit me in St. Paul this week! It was great to meet with so many of you.
Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me, personally, if you have any questions or concerns regarding MNsure or any other legislative matter. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4929 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Have a great weekend!
Jeff