Dear Neighbors,
As one of the House co-chairs of the new Minnesota Health Plan Caucus I would like to invite you to join us for the official launch of the caucus, January 26 at 10:30 am!
Two years into a global public health crisis, hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans still do not have health insurance. At least one million more cannot afford the cost of healthcare, insured or not. This healthcare system is not working, and incremental change won't fix it.
This celebration and rally will honor the hard work and perseverance of supporters of the Minnesota Health Plan. These advocates recognize that the only way for us to truly fix the healthcare system is to guarantee healthcare as a right. In order to do this, we must adopt a single payer system for the State of Minnesota and ultimately for America.
Let's come together in community to celebrate them and rally momentum to drive support for the Minnesota Health Plan this coming legislative session!
This event will be held outdoors at the Upper Mall of the Minnesota State Capitol.
Please dress warmly and wear a mask.
Certified Nursing Assistants Needed
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-term staffing pressures across our health care infrastructure. Today, in response to the severe staffing shortages facing long-term care facilities, 400 National Guard members are deployed throughout the state to provide emergency staffing. Their service is truly admirable, but they are acting as a temporary, emergency solution to a structural workforce challenge facing our state.
To help beat this shortage there’s an opportunity for 1,000 Minnesotans to answer the call and join the next generation of health care workers. If you become a certified nursing assistant today, your costs will be covered. Including free tuition, books, uniform, & exam. Learn more & enroll today.
COVID-19 Update
Governor Tim Walz announced the launch of the next phase of the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentive program to encourage families in Minnesota to get their kids 5- to 11-years-old fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It is paramount that we vaccinate our children so they can learn in person as much as possible. You can learn more about the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ program here. Here are some important details on the incentives:
- Families in Minnesota who get their 5 to 11 year olds fully vaccinated in January and February can get a $200 Visa gift card. To be eligible, kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between January 1 and February 28. Registration will open at 10:00am on January 24, 2022 and close at 11:59pm on February 28, 2022. Learn more here.
- Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all 5-11 year olds who are fully vaccinated. Details will be released soon.
Families in Minnesota can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find local vaccine clinics. Families can also check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments. In addition, please be sure to watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
As much as we all wish the pandemic was over, it is not. The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is spreading through our communities “like wildfire’ according to Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. Please continue to do all the things we know help to keep us all safe - get vaccinated and boosted, wear a high quality mask, keep your distance, and get tested and stay home if you’re not feeling well. We will get through this, but it will take all of us doing our part.
2022 Legislative Session
The 2022 legislative session begins Monday January 31st. I am eager to begin my second session and represent you in St. Paul. With many challenges ahead of us, this work feels more necessary and impactful than ever. I will keep you up to date with priorities and progress as the session moves forward.
Stay in Touch
I always appreciate hearing from you, so please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback. Feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.liz.boldon@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-9249. If you’d like to schedule a time to chat by phone or Zoom, I’m happy to do that as well. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and you can also follow my Facebook page here.
It’s an honor to represent our community. Please be safe and stay in touch.
With purpose and hope,
Liz
Rep. Liz Boldon, District 25B
533 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155