Dear Neighbors,
I hope you all are having a safe week in this cold weather. It’s hard to believe I’m approaching my fifth week since I was sworn in to represent out community at the Minnesota House. As we move through the legislative session, I’ll be sending out these emails more frequently to keep you updated on our progress. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve residents in our district and I have kept my promise to work for you.
Committee Assignments
For this session, I am honored to be serving as Vice Chair for the Subcommittee on Elections. Improving access to voting for all Minnesotans, creating open and fair elections and ensuring our democracy is a passion of mine. Elections is a branch of the Government Operations Committee on which I also have the honor to serve. We’ve already discussed exciting policies, including measures to make voting more accessible, ensure the integrity of elections with better cybersecurity and continued education for election staff.
In addition to these committees, I was also selected to serve on the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division, as well as the Health and Human Services Policy Committee. Both of these committees are very important in maintaining the wellbeing of our communities, and more importantly, they help me continue my mission to put people and families first as part of “One Minnesota.” I believe we are never greater in a society than the smallest among us.
Legislation
Making health care more affordable is my commitment to you, which is why I have taken the lead as the chief author of legislation that would remove the pharmacist “gag” rule. This practice prevents health insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from creating policies that keep a pharmacist from informing patients when they can purchase their prescription off-the-shelf or out-of-pocket for less than their co-pay. That is just wrong.
I believe in common sense and I believe fervently that all Minnesotans deserve access to quality, affordable prescription medication. I spoke to so many of you at your doors and believe this is one small step in putting money back in the pockets of families and seniors where it belongs. I’ll keep you posted on this and three other similar pieces of legislation moving through the House.
Throughout the session, you can follow the list of bills I’ve co-sponsored here.
It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions, concerns, or plan to stop by for a visit. You can reach me by email at rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn and phone at651-296-5502.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
State Representative