Legislative Update - A Plan to Solve Minnesota's Housing Crisis

Dear Neighbors, 

This was a big week for Housing at the Minnesota Legislature, starting with our committee hearing on Bring It Home, Minnesota - which I previewed in last week’s update. If you’d like to watch our committee hearing on this bill that would establish a state-based rental assistance program, you can do so here. 

This week, we also unveiled our plan to solve Minnesota’s housing crisis, a package of priority housing legislation that the House DFL will champion this session. Our plan is based around a simple principle: Every Minnesotan deserves a safe and affordable place they can call home. Our Housing plan puts Minnesota on course to solve our state’s housing crisis with investments across the entire housing continuum, and you can read about its components below.

You can watch our press conference on these proposals here. 

Capping Co-Pays on Life-Saving Medication

I’m partnering with Senator Erin Murphy from St. Paul to re-introduce our updated bill to cap co-pays at $25 for prescription drugs and medical supplies that treat chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.

Minnesotans with chronic conditions have always faced the high stress of affording their life-saving medication, and that has only been magnified during the pandemic. Our bill recognizes that all actors in our healthcare system have a role to play in making prescription drugs affordable and is a reasonable step that puts patients first.

In building upon our work on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, this bill would cap insulin, asthma inhalers, and EpiPens at $25 a month. The listed price of these medications have soared over the past decade, putting incredible stress on Minnesotans managing their health. I’m honored that we have the support of the Minnesota Insulin 4 All chapter as well as the American Diabetes Association on this important bill. 

If you have any questions about the legislation introduced this week, or other issues facing our community, please feel free to reach out. Additionally, you can share your legislative priorities and concerns with me through my legislative survey, which you can take below.

Rep. Howard's 2022 Legislative Survey

In partnership, 

Michael Howard