Dear Neighbors,
As we approach the end of session, I’m working hard with my colleagues to make sure that legislation that must pass continues to make progress before session ends on May 18th.
Final Regular meeting of the Public Safety Committee
This year has been full of bittersweet “lasts.” This week was my last regular Public Safety meeting. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to chair/co-chair this committee with so many caring and hardworking folks on both sides of the aisle.
It was a pleasure chairing alongside my GOP counterpart, Rep. Paul Novotny. I'm glad we could come to a strong mutual agreement!
While it wasn’t always easy, we have done a lot to keep our communities safer. Our bipartisan budget bill includes funding for use-of-force law enforcement training and support for crime victims. Direct services like domestic violence shelters and advocates, sexual assault advocates, child abuse centers, general crime victim advocates, and victim hotlines that are located across the state and provide life-saving assistance to victims. The federal funding for these important services has been declining for a decade. With this budget we are taking direct action to support these critical services and make Minnesota safer.
Funding to Combat Medicaid Fraud
This week the House GOP voted against funding to strengthen the integral Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The proposal would beef up one of the most effective Medicaid fraud fighting forces in the country. That means more fraudsters in jail and more public funds going where they need to. There is a 3-to-1 match of federal funds for any state funds appropriated for MFCU staff. As a result, the state would only need to pay for 4.5 staff to get a total of 18. There are still potential paths for this critical fraud fighting legislation to move forward, and I promise to fight for it every step of the way. In addition, there are a number of fraud-prevention measures moving forward that I have heard in committee, including those to increase the statute of limitations and provide tools for prosecution of fraud cases.
Saving HCMC
The closure of Hennepin County Medical Center would be catastrophic for Minnesotans. HCMC is a shining example of how our health care system *should* work — they accept patients from across the state regardless of whether they have insurance or the ability to pay massive medical bills. They are also a critical Level One Trauma Center for our state.
In the richest country in the world, people should not be forced to go without the care they need to survive. But federal cuts to Medicaid and the broken for-profit dystopia of America’s health care system could lead to HCMC shutting down by June.
This week, the House DFL brought forward legislation that would be an ongoing solution. There will be a lot of ongoing discussion as to the exact way to save HCMC. Ultimately, if we don’t find a solution, Minnesotans will die and receive worse care and health outcomes.
DFL Bills to Protect our Kids
The House DFL again brought forward floor votes on legislation to keep ICE out of schools, ban assault weapons, and ban high-capacity magazines. This legislation is supported by the vast majority of Minnesotans. All of our children deserve to go to school without the fear of federal agents terrorizing their classmates, teachers, and staff, and without the fear of yet another deadly school shooting like Annunciation, which brought mourning families into committee after committee to call for action. All we needed was one Republican to vote for these bills to protect kids; unfortunately these bills didn’t receive a single Republican vote.
DFL Legislative Survey
We want to hear from you and what you would like to see the legislature prioritize for next year's legislative session. Make your voice heard and help determine what we fight for, here.
Stay In Touch
Please feel free to contact me directly with your viewpoints or if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn.gov and my phone number is 651-296-0141.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative