Legislative Update
Dear Friends,
Minnesota families continue to bear the burden of misguided spending priorities and erratic budgeting under one-party control in St. Paul. This week, I’m highlighting two critical issues: severe nursing home funding cuts and the ballooning costs of expanded public healthcare coverage for individuals here illegally. These choices have real consequences for the people of our state - especially our seniors and working families.
Walz's Cuts to Nursing Homes
Two facilities in our district are now facing $3,489,676 in cuts over the next four years. These reductions come at a time when demand for long-term care is only increasing:
- Within five years, 1 in 4 Minnesotans will be age 65 or older.
- 70% of them will need some form of long-term care.
Despite this growing need, Governor Walz’s budget proposal includes $700 million in cuts for nursing homes statewide over the next four years. These cuts are forcing facilities to make difficult choices and risk closure - putting accessible and affordable care further out of reach for families across Minnesota.
I will continue to fight for policies that prioritize care for our aging population and provide adequate support for the dedicated workers who care for them.
Minnesota Taxpayers Funding Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants
In 2023, Democrats quietly expanded MinnesotaCare to cover individuals who are in our state illegally. After repeated requests from House Republicans, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed by email that 17,396 undocumented immigrants are now enrolled - more than double the projected 7,700.
The cost?
- Originally projected at $196 million over four years
- Now surged to $550 million - and it’s still climbing
Every dollar of this expansion is being paid exclusively by Minnesota taxpayers, and this unchecked spending comes as our state faces a $6 billion deficit. At the same time, ambulance services, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and disability supports are being forced to tighten their belts.
See House Republicans address this during Monday's press conference
Budget Swings and Their Impact on Families
Minnesotans shouldn’t have to ride a roller coaster of budget highs followed by deep, painful cuts. But under the Democrat trifecta, that’s exactly what’s happening:
- Record spending increases have drained the surplus and created structural deficits
- Now we’re seeing massive cuts to services our families rely on
We can do better. That starts with passing a responsible, balanced budget that includes steady and sustainable funding while eliminating the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars lost to fraud and wasteful programs.
Bottom Line
This budget mess was created by the Democrat Trifecta and Governor Walz. Their reckless spending - like handing out over $550 million in taxpayer dollars to fund MinnesotaCare for individuals here illegally - has come at a steep cost to the rest of us.
It’s Minnesota families, seniors, schools, and rural communities who are left paying the price. Nursing homes are being forced to make devastating cuts, schools are asked to do more with less, and services our families depend on are being stretched to the breaking point.
This didn’t have to happen. But when Democrats blow through a record surplus and grow government by over 40%, budget deficits and deep cuts are the inevitable result.
We must ensure this never happens again and we do that by passing a responsible budget that includes steady and sustainable funding to essential services in Minnesota. I’m committed to making sure this year’s budget lives up to that standard.
Thanks For Your Support
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any thoughts, questions, concerns regarding these bills, or input on future legislation, please feel free to reach out. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-6206 or via email at rep.josh.heintzeman@house.mn.gov.
Have a great weekend,
Josh