Legislative Update from Rep. Sandra Feist

Friends and neighbors,  

It’s been an exciting few weeks since the 2024 legislative session began. While the weather outside decides between winter and spring, we’ve been hard at work building a better Minnesota. If you’re not already, don’t forget to follow my Facebook page to stay up-to-date! 

Here’s the latest from the Capitol.

Each day, I have an opportunity to meet with constituents who come to St. Paul for their Day at the Capitol. Many thanks to the residents of District 39B who have come to meet with me to discuss your areas of expertise and perspectives. I’ve had so many meetings with neighbors about a wide variety of topics, from social work to emergency medicine to accounting. One of my favorite aspects of this role is to learn and grow every day on the job.  

Since session began, I’ve been busy advancing bills to support our community and all Minnesotans. I’ve been working with advocates for seniors and individuals with disabilities on a bill that will better protect people under guardianship and create a taskforce to assess guardianship in Minnesota. The goal of the taskforce will be explore how we can ensure that there are safeguards and supports so that vulnerable Minnesotans can live with autonomy and dignity.  

Increasing Protections for Nurses

I presented HF 4200 before the Health Finance and Policy Committee on Thursday, where I was joined by the Minnesota Nurses Association, MAPE, the AFL-CIO and other labor allies who support the bill. This bill would prohibit hospitals and other health facilities from retaliation against staff who speak up about being overworked with an unsafe number of patients. I’m looking forward to continuing last year’s efforts to improve conditions for some of our most critical healthcare workers.

Lawmaker Impact Award from the Minnesota Corrections Association

I'm incredibly honored to have received the Lawmaker Impact Award from the Minnesota Corrections Association, Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers, and the Minnesota Association of Community Corrections. Our work together last session to reform our probation funding formula was a truly meaningful collaboration. The stories of how this funding increase and strategic distribution has already impacted the work of probation officers and people under supervision are inspiring! 

The HEAL Act

Last week, I introduced The HEAL Act, which will protect patient care staff so that they can in turn protect the patients and residents under their skilled care. Too often, we see retaliation against these nurses and other bedside care professionals when they speak up about dangerous understaffing. Our nurses need our help, and this session, I’m committed to continuing to work with them to improve working conditions and end retaliation.  

Insulin Prices Capped

Democrats are dedicated to reducing the cost of health care and protecting against price-gouging. Earlier this month, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a landmark settlement with the Eli Lily insulin company that caps insulin at just $35 for the next 5 years.   

Drug companies raised the price of insulin by over 1,100% between 1990 and 2020, and this settlement ensures that Minnesotans can afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.  

You can learn more about the settlement and how to get insulin for just $35 a month here. 

Stay in Touch

If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Email me at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-4331. Also, you can follow my official State Representative Facebook Page.

Sincerely,  

Sandra Feist  

State Representative