 Legislative Update from Rep. Bianca Virnig Neighbors,  Earlier this month, the Minnesota Legislature observed a brief legislative break before heading into the final stretch of session. During the break, I had a chance to return to the classroom for a day and substitute teach! Spending some time with the next generation served as a welcome reminder of why I do what I do — and who I do it for. With just a month left in the legislative session, things are busy as folks try to wrap up their legislative priorities. Last week, the Minnesota House passed my bill to change the definition of Medical Consultant under the Community Health Board. Currently, Minnesota statute requires a community health board to contract with or employ a physician to provide advice and information, authorize medical procedures, and assist in coordinating activities with local medical practitioners and institutions. By expanding this definition, Boards can also work with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or Nurse Practitioner. This will help boards be more efficient and better serve our communities. It was delightfully fitting that we passed the bill during National Public Health Week!  Earlier this month, we also heard an IT modernization bill in the House Human Services Committee. This bill is something I’m excited about because it takes on long-overdue upgrades to Minnesota’s outdated human services IT systems. Counties are being asked to do more with less as the federal government shifts responsibilities to local governments and cuts funding. This proposal creates a state-county steering committee to guide major IT decisions, ensuring counties have a real voice in how these systems will be built and updated, with public input and legislative oversight. It's a good bill that will help our counties better serve Minnesotans. Fighting for our Teachers As someone who has worked in public schools, I know the health insurance we offer for our public school teachers is simply too expensive. Healthcare is unaffordable for almost everyone. We must make a change. I believe the Educator Group Insurance Program is a great way to do that. Right now, the state is paying for health insurance for teachers, but too much money is wasted on middlemen such as brokers and on administrative costs. This plan makes more sense and could prove we can make change in the healthcare system. I sat down to tell you in my own words why this is so important to me, and should be important to us all. You can watch my thoughts here! Funding to Combat Medicaid Fraud Last 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! It is fiscally irresponsible to throw this opportunity away. I’ve heard clearly from you that you want me to put my vote where my mouth is. Minnesotans want us to take strong action to combat fraud and I couldn’t agree more. It's time to cut out the political games and pass some real legislation that will have a real positive impact. 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.  Medication Disposal National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, April 25. It provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of their unused or expired medications at local collection sites. For residents who want to safely dispose of medications outside of this biannual event, MyOldMeds offers a free, year-round locator that connects people to 605 secure disposal sites across Minnesota. The easy-to-use locator helps quickly find nearby drop-off locations just by entering their zip code. The site also includes a Minnesota resource page with guidance on proper disposal practices and safe medication management.  Submit your Poetry!  Inver Glen Library is inviting children, teens, and adults to submit original poems. Those selected may be printed directly onto the Unity Trail near the mosaic art benches being created by local students - where walkers, runners, and families will come across them for years to come. Find out more and submit poems through April 25 at the Inver Glen Library. 2026 Public Health Achievement Award Winner Congrats to Stacie O’Leary for receiving a 2026 Public Health Achievement Award from Dakota County! Stacie is the health services coordinator and lead school nurse for West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools. She has been instrumental in strengthening districtwide immunization compliance, an essential public health priority that protects not only individual students but the entire community. Her visionary leadership was spotlighted when she brought the “Warrior Care" school-based health center to Two Rivers High School through a partnership with Riverland Community Health, Dakota County Public Health and the Minnesota School-Based Health Alliance. This center has significantly expanded access to health care, particularly for students who face barriers such as transportation, financial limitations or a lack of a primary care provider. Congrats, Stacie — this accomplishment is well-deserved! Stay ConnectedUnfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at rep.bianca.virnig@house.mn.gov, or by phone at 651-296-4192. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Spencer, at 651-297-8129 or at spencer.crose@house.mn.gov. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol. All my best, Bianca Virnig State Representative State Representative Bianca Virnig5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 |