Home care workers celebrate following record-setting debate on bill to grant collective bargaining rights
St. Paul, MN – After 11 committees and a record-setting 17-hour debate on the Senate floor, home care workers are celebrating a win after the Senate voted 35 – 32 to pass a bill that would extend collective bargaining rights to workers in self-directed public home care programs.
“I am so excited to see the Senate pass such an important bill to my family and me,” said Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount who cares for her mom. “Republicans stalled all night, but I’m happy the Senate ultimately granted me the same rights enjoyed by other workers to simply choose whether or not we want to join together in a union.”
Ziggy Norberg and his mom, Karen Urman, joined Henry in celebration. Norgerg was born with Spina Bifida. At 19, he now attends community college and is a leader in his community, something he says is possible because of his mom, who works for him as his PCA (personal care attendant).
“I am so fortunate to have my mom, because there are fewer and fewer people entering this field due to low wages and a lack of benefits,” said Norberg. “My mom shouldn’t have to struggle to get by because she is a home care worker. It would be nice if along with the hard, round-the-clock work of being a home care worker, my mom could enjoy the benefits and fair wages of a real career.”
Urman assists Norberg with daily tasks that allow him to live independently, rather than in a group home or other institution. The mother-son duo have been a constant presence in the Capitol since February, when lawmakers introduced a bill that would grant collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.
“This bill will strengthen the self-direction model that is so vital to these programs,” said Norberg. “It will also make sure that we can attract the best people to the profession. Home care workers like my Mom should have the same rights as others to join a union and a have a voice in their career. Their work saves the state and taxpayers millions each year – without these workers, the state would have to foot the bill for thousands of people entering nursing homes and institutions.”
Urman, Norberg and Henry were among the sea of purple that awaited the Senate vote which began Tuesday afternoon. By morning, purple still dotted the seats of the gallery.
If passed, the bill would allow Minnesota to follow in footsteps of several other states which have passed similar legislation. Those states have seen a reduction in worker turnover and a stabilization of the workforce. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.
“We just want the same rights as other workers,” said Urman. “Nurses and teachers have the right to form a union. The work we do isn’t more important, but it certainly isn’t less important. We should have the same right to choose for ourselves if we want to join together in a union.”
The bill would extend organizing rights to roughly 12,000 self-directed home care workers in Minnesota.
“When the day finally comes that I might need to find someone else, I want to rest assured that I will be able to find someone who takes the job seriously like my mom does,” said Norberg.
The House is expected to take up the Senate version of the bill later this week. The Governor is expected to sign the bill as well.
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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
Bill that would extend collective bargaining rights to workers in public home care programs passes final committee votes
St. Paul, MN – After months of walking the halls, talking with legislators and attending hearings at the State Capitol, home care worker Darleen Henry is overjoyed that a bill that would give her the right to vote on whether she wants to form a union is finally headed to the floor for final votes in both the House and the Senate.
“This bill is a huge deal for my family and me,” said Darleen Henry, who lives in Rosemount. “I want the opportunity to join together in a union with other home care workers so we can make doing this work sustainable. Workers – including me – face low wages and absolutely no benefits, despite working round-the-clock caring for the elderly and people living with disabilities. I don’t want to be forced to leave this career simply because I can’t make ends meet. If that happened, my mom would be forced to move into a nursing home, and that would break her heart and mine.”
Though only 23 years old, Henry has been working as the personal care attendant for her mother ever since her mother suffered a series of small strokes. She has been working with other home care workers who are seeking to change state law so they can have a statewide vote on whether the approximately 12,000 workers would like to join together in a union. The workers have been hard to miss throughout the legislative session, visiting the Capitol each week, attending the many hearings and holding multiple rallies in the Capitol rotunda.
Tonight the Senate Finance committee voted 12 – 10 to send the bill to the full Senate for a final vote on the floor. Last week, members of the House Ways and Means committee approved the bill’s companion, sending it to the full House as well.
The bill would extend collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join together in a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.
“We’re so close to passing this bill, just a couple more votes,” said Pat Winick, who receives services through the Consumer Directed Community Supports waiver program after suffering a traumatic brain injury. “Everyone who does this valuable work deserves to be respected and well compensated. While I set the wages for my workers I am limited by what the State gives me to work with in my budget. Right now workers have no voice in how these budgets are set or what is a fair wage for the services they provide.”
“I have relied on direct support workers for over 12 years,” said Nikki Villavicencio-Tollison, who receives services through the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Choice program. “I need people who understand that I am a confident, independent woman who uses support services and not someone who is sick or broken who needs care. I use the PCA Choice program because it allows me to choose, train, direct and terminate my own workers. In this program I am the employer. The only thing I don’t control in the PCA choice program is how much my workers are paid. The reimbursement rate is set by the State.
“I support this bill because it will give workers the right to form a union to bargain with the State for better wages and access to benefits. It is difficult to find quality, reliable people who are willing and able to work for low wages and no benefits. When I do find someone who is really good and reliable they always end up leaving to make a living wage. When people do stay and work for me full-time they often have to rely on public assistance to be able to feed their families or get health care for their own children,” continued Villavicencio-Tollison.
In other states where home care workers have joined together in a union, there has been a stabilization of the workforce and an ability to better attract and retain workers. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.
“This bill will give these workers the right to vote to form a union so they can finally have a powerful collective voice. I look forward to partnering with these organized workers in advocating for more access to and stable funding for self-directed services,” said Winick.
“A more stable workforce will save the state money,” said Darleen Henry. “Home care workers allow people to remain living independently in their homes, rather than be forced to choose a more expensive nursing home or institution. I take great pride in knowing my work helps people retire with dignity.
“Home care workers deserve the same rights as other workers,” continued Henry. “Nurses and teachers have the right to form a union. The work we do isn’t more important, but it certainly isn’t less important. Allowing us the right to join together in a union will improve the lives of workers and the people we care for, while making smart decisions for a better future. I look forward to seeing this through to the final votes in the House and Senate. Mine and my mom’s future depends on it.”
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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 17, 2013
Contact: Kate Brickman, Media Relations Coordinator
Labor leaders welcome commonsense immigration reform and pathway to citizenship, detail areas of concern as bill heads to Judiciary Committee
St. Paul, MN – Today members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of Minnesota celebrated the long-awaited immigration bill introduced at the U.S. Senate.
“We applaud the bipartisan Senate committee for their tireless work in negotiating and drafting commonsense immigration reform legislation which includes a pathway to citizenship,” said Javier Morillo, President of SEIU Local 26.” The majority of Americans believe immigration is good for our country but say the current system is just not working. Our country needs a commonsense process now for new American immigrants to become citizens.”
The bill – which was delayed this week due to the Boston Marathon bombings – was introduced this morning in Washington D.C. Leaders who worked on the bill are expected to hold a press conference tomorrow in D.C. to discuss the bill. Discussion in the Senate Judiciary committee could begin as early as Friday. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar both sit on that committee.
“This bill is a good starting point, and we look forward to working with Senators Franken and Klobuchar on improving it,” said Jigme Ugen, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. “We thank Senators Franken and Klobuchar for their support and urge them to be vocal leaders on an issue that impacts all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status.”
SEIU will work with local business, faith and immigrant communities to address some concerns with the bill, including the length of the citizenship pathway, along with restrictions and a cut-off date that would leave hundreds of thousands out of the process.
“A pathway that lasts 13 years unreasonable and unjust,” said Carol Nieters, Executive Director of SEIU Local 284. “It should be substantially shortened so all aspiring immigrants have a chance to become a full part of the American dream in a reasonable amount of time. We must expand the number of people eligible for the path to citizenship. The cut-off date and other restrictions including family classifications will tear apart hundreds of thousands of families.”
“Immigration reform must seek to keep families together,” said Morillo. “And that includes LGBT families. The current bill provides no recognition of LGBT families. Our nation was founded upon the very powerful idea that in this land, all people have rights. No matter what you look like, where you come from or who you love – everyone should get a fair shot at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
SEIU has been a leader in the immigration debate for years and Minnesota’s lavender caucus has been influential in issues surrounding LGBT families, including the effort to pass bills granting the freedom to marry in Minnesota.
“These Minnesotans – just as all new American immigrants – contribute to our communities, our society and our economy,” said Ugen. “As an immigrant myself, I came to America to pursue a better life and the opportunity America promises. We must act now to bring the 11 million aspiring citizens out of the shadows.”
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SEIU is the workers who provide care and support for your family in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, child care, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings. The SEIU Minnesota State Council coordinates the electoral, legislative and outreach work of the SEIU Locals in Minnesota to increase the effectiveness of their collective bargaining and new member organizing campaigns. By building the political involvement of approximately 30,000 SEIU members throughout the state, the State Council is working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. The State Council’s board is comprised of elected leaders, members, and staff of the four SEIU Local Unions in Minnesota.
More than 300,000 uninsured Minnesotans will benefit from affordable, quality health care.
Governor Dayton Signing the Bill
After a record-breaking debate in the Minnesota legislature, healthcare workers across the state are celebrating a milestone today in their effort to provide quality care to Minnesotans. Governor Dayton signed the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange into law today, which will bring better healthcare coverage to 1.3 million Minnesotans, while saving Minnesotans more than $1 billion. In response to today’s signing, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President Jamie Gulley issued the following statement:
“Today is a victory for all who share a goal of giving Minnesotans more affordable access to quality health care coverage. For the first time, Minnesotans will have a marketplace where insurance companies will compete for their business in an open and transparent way. While many have dealt with the frustrations of fine print and insurance jargon, the exchange will allow Minnesotans to easily compare health plans side-by-side and empower them to select the plan that best fits their needs and budget.
“By 2016, nearly 1.3 million Minnesotans will use the Exchange to access quality, affordable insurance. Of those, more than 300,000 are uninsured Minnesotans who would previously risk being turned away at hospitals and clinics. It is an incredible achievement to provide these Minnesotans with the peace of mind of knowing every plan offered through the Exchange will cover a comprehensive set of benefits like emergency room visits, prescriptions, mental health, and preventive care like cancer screenings and immunizations.
“Even more incredible is that this comprehensive coverage will be more affordable. Minnesotans are expected to save $1 billion by 2016. That’s $500 for the average family each year. In an economy where it seems costs continue to rise, the ability to provide affordable coverage to families is key to keeping Minnesotans healthy.
“We know there is much work yet to be done. I am proud of the active role our members at SEIU Healthcare have played during this process and look forward to continued input to ensure the best of interests of Minnesotans are at the heart of this program.”
St. Paul, MN – Today the Home Care bill, HF 844, cleared its first hurdle in the House, after a vote of 12-7 in the Health and Human Services Policy committee. The vote came after passionate testimony from home care workers and those they care for about the valuable services home care workers provide to the state and the difficulty in retaining talented workers due to low wages, lack of benefits and poor working conditions.
“As the population grows older and the demand for home care services increases, it’s going to be harder and harder to find qualified people do to this work,” said Ze’ev O’Rourke, a home care worker from Minneapolis. “If we don’t start to value this work, people are not going to be able to choose to receive care in their homes. Taking the elderly and disabled from their homes and putting them into expensive facilities is not only hurtful, but costs taxpayers far more than allowing them to keep their independence.”
O’Rourke is one of thousands of home care workers seeking to change state law to allow them to choose to form a union. The workers have been organizing with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for more than a year and are hopeful this bill will allow them the opportunity to choose for themselves.
Mitch Bushey also testified in favor of the bill, speaking about his job as the home care worker for his 25-year-old son, Jordan, who has cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation. When Jordan turned 21, he was no longer eligible for state-sponsored school. Rather than send Jordan to a daycare program, Bushey wanted to keep Jordan at home.
“I retired early from Ford Motor Company in order to take care of Jordan for the rest of his life or for the rest of my life—whichever comes first,” said Bushey. “I know Jordan’s needs and requirements much better than anybody else. If Jordan was in a state-sponsored institution they would not be able to put in the time or attention needed to monitor his breathing and help with his eating the way I do. He would be forced to have breathing and feeding tubes; he would be hooked up to monitors and confined to a hospital bed. He would require nursing level care, which would be very expensive for taxpayers.”
The bipartisan bill is authored by Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL – District 40A), with dozens of co-authors, including Republican Representative Jim Abeler. The bill seeks to address the looming workforce crisis facing Minnesota’s long-term healthcare programs. It would give home care workers in self-directed programs the ability to negotiate directly with the state, which determines and funds their wages and benefits.
Studies suggest the annual turnover rate for home care workers in Minnesota is as high as 50 percent. Nicole Villavicencio-Tollison testified about the services she has received from home care workers for the past 12 years, saying turnover has certainly been an issue for her.
“It is difficult to find quality, reliable personal care attendants (PCA) who are willing and able to work for low wages and no benefits,” said Villavicencio-Tollison. “When I do find someone who is really good and reliable they always end up leaving to make more money. My aunt worked for me for four years, but had to quit because she couldn’t make enough money to support her family. This has happened over and over again. When PCAs do stay full-time, they often have to rely on public assistance to be able to feed their families or get health care for their own children.”
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development projects demand for more than 50,000 new home care workers in Minnesota over the next 10 years. However, the core labor pool from which the state’s workers are traditionally drawn – women aged 25-54 – is expected to decline by nearly 2,000 workers.
The bill now moves on to the House Labor, Workplace and Regulated Industries committee. It was heard Monday in the Senate State and Local Government committee, which continued the bill until Wednesday.
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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2013
Contact: Kate Brickman | 612-460-1219
Media Relations Coordinator | SEIU MN State Council
Bill to address looming workforce crisis introduced in House and Senate
St. Paul, MN – Today Senator Chris Eaton introduced S.F. 665 and Representative Michael Nelson introduced H.F. 844, a bill that would address the looming workforce crisis in our state’s public home care programs, by giving home care workers the right to form a union.
“We are facing a massive shortage of workers to care for seniors and people with disabilities,” said Representative Nelson. “As the Baby Boomers age, there is going to be a strain on our state’s long-term care system. We must ensure there are enough workers to help people retire with dignity.”
Read the rest after the break
Contact: Kate Brickman, SEIU Media Relations Coordinator
kbrickman@seiumn.org | 612-460-1219
Home care workers applaud Senator Eaton and Representative Nelson at SEIU Lobby Day Rally for their bill to give home care workers the right to form a union
St. Paul, MN – Before a group of hundreds of working Minnesotans at the State Capitol, Speaker of the House Paul Thissen applauded Senator Chris Eaton and Representative Mike Nelson, co-authors of a bill that would give home care workers the right to form a union.
“Our state is facing a looming workforce crisis in our public programs providing home care to seniors and people with disabilities,” said Speaker Thissen. “If we’re going to attract and retain enough workers, we should pay them a competitive wage. The work they do is invaluable and helps keep thousands of Minnesotans living independently in their homes, rather than expensive nursing homes and other institutions. Home care workers should have the right to form a union, just like anybody else, so they can improve the quality of care for our family, our friends and our neighbors.”
Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount, also spoke at Wednesday’s rally. Her mother suffered a series of strokes, and Henry cares for her so she can stay at home – Henry works three jobs at 70 hours a week, yet has no benefits.
“I could have easily suggested her going into a nursing home but I knew if I were in her shoes, leaving my own home before I needed to would be heartbreaking, let alone extremely expensive,” said Henry. “She did have to be in assisted living for two weeks after a surgery – she hated and complained the whole time. She had never been so miserable in her life.”
Henry joined other home care workers in thanking Senator Eaton and Representative Nelson, who will introduce a bill Thursday giving home care workers in self-directed programs the right to form a union. These home care workers joined hundreds of working Minnesotans at the Capitol Wednesday as part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Minnesota School Employees Association (MSEA) Lobby Day. The members provide care and support for Minnesota families in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings.
Following individual meetings with legislators, workers gathered in the Rotunda for a rally headlined by Governor Dayton, legislative leaders and members, rallying around reinstating the general education levy, implementing the Affordable Care Act through an active exchange, and increasing the minimum wage to keep up with inflation.
“We’re going to build a fair tax system and invest in what is important to Minnesotans,” said Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk. “That starts by reinvesting in our K-12 schools.”
“Our goal is to offer quality, affordable health care to all Minnesotans,” said Senator Tony Lourey. “We have been given a great opportunity to work with the federal government to achieve that goal and we should take advantage. With the Medical Assistance bill already signed into law and the exchange legislation moving through the committee process, we are making great strides this session to improve our health care system.”
“Economic development in Minnesota starts with you and your families,” said Representative Ryan Winkler. “The work you do to support your family is the economic engine that drives Minnesota.”
“The right to organize should be a basic right,” said Representative Patti Fritz. “We should not be living paycheck to paycheck.”
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SEIU is the union of workers who provide care and support for your family in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, child care, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings. The SEIU Minnesota State Council coordinates the electoral, legislative and outreach work of the SEIU Locals in Minnesota to increase the effectiveness of their collective bargaining and new member organizing campaigns. By building the political involvement of approximately 30,000 SEIU members throughout the state, the State Council is working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. The State Council’s board is comprised of elected leaders, members, and staff of the four SEIU Local Unions in Minnesota.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2013
Contact: Kate Brickman, SEIU Media Relations Coordinator,
kbrickman@seiumn.org | 612-460-1219
SAINT PAUL, MN – Health care workers across Minnesota are sending their thanks to Governor Dayton and state leadership for the bi-partisan bill which expands the state’s Medical Assistance program, providing quality health coverage for an additional 35,000 uninsured Minnesotans at virtually no cost to the state.
Governor Dayton signed the bill into law earlier today, joined by authors of the bill, state Sen. Kathy Sheran, state Rep. Tom Huntley, state Sen. Jeff Hayden, state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, and state Rep. Diane Loeffler.
The bill takes advantage of federal funding available to states as they implement the Affordable Care Act. By signing the bill into law, the state will save a projected $129 million over the next two years. It also helps connect more low-income adults with comprehensive, affordable care. This will help reduce uncompensated care and the use of emergency care services by the uninsured, which drive up costs for everyone, and it will increase the cost-effective use of preventive care and other services which keep low-income Minnesotans healthy.
“The hardest part of my job is not the patients I see. The hardest part is the patients I have to turn away because they do not have insurance. Over the years, I have seen too many bodies and lives ruined by lack of insurance,” said Lynn Carlson of Oak Grove, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Phillips Eye Institute and a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota’s Executive Board.
“Today marks the culmination of the Governor’s efforts to expand Medicaid,” said Maxine Maxon, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota Executive Board member. “I was proud an SEIU member stood together with Governor Dayton on his first day in office, when he extended Medicaid to tens of thousands of low-income Minnesotans through the Affordable Care Act, and we as a Union are proud again today. Because health care workers have engaged in grassroots politics throughout the state, thousands more Minnesotans will have secure access to comprehensive, affordable health care. This bill also reflects a good partnership with the federal government, by bringing new resources to Minnesota that benefit the state’s economy.”
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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 17,000 healthcare and long term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
St. Paul, MN – On Wednesday, February 20 at 2:30 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol, hundreds of working Minnesotans will gather in the Rotunda to rally around investments in health care, education, and living wages. The rally will serve as the focal point of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Minnesota School Employees Association (MSEA) Lobby Day, which includes our members who provide care and support for Minnesota families in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings.
Governor Dayton will join legislative leaders, as well as SEIU and MSEA members, to speak about the need to invest in a brighter future with the right priorities. This year’s Lobby Day focuses on four main priorities, including the need to solve the looming workforce crisis by allowing home care workers the right to form a union; raise revenue fairly to invest in schools; implement the Affordable Care Act through an active exchange to serve the best interests of Minnesotans; and increase the minimum wage to keep up with inflation. <!–more Click here to read entire media release –>
WHAT:
SEIU and MSEA Lobby Day Rally – The Time is Now
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 20 | 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Rotunda | Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd | St. Paul, MN
WHO:
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SEIU is the workers who provide care and support for your family in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, child care, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings. The SEIU Minnesota State Council coordinates the electoral, legislative and outreach work of the SEIU Locals in Minnesota to increase the effectiveness of their collective bargaining and new member organizing campaigns. By building the political involvement of approximately 30,000 SEIU members throughout the state, the State Council is working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. The State Council’s board is comprised of elected leaders, members, and staff of the four SEIU Local Unions in Minnesota.
MSEA is a union of nearly 6,000 classified public school employees from over 60 school districts in Minnesota.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2013
Contact: Kate Brickman, SEIU Media Relations Coordinator, kbrickman@seiumn.org | 612-460-1219
SAINT PAUL, MN – Health care workers across Minnesota are breathing a sigh of relief today in response to the announcement by the federal Health and Human Services department that it has developed a timeline for Minnesota and other states who wish who pursue a Basic Health Plan (BHP) option in implementing of the Affordable Care Act. SEIU Healthcare MN, a union of more than 17,000 healthcare workers, released the following statement from SEIU Healthcare MN President Jamie Gulley.
“We are very relieved to see this announcement, which will allow Minnesota to preserve, expand, and improve the MinnesotaCare program through the “Basic Health Plan” (BHP) option created by the Affordable Care Act. Over 130,000 Minnesotans rely on MinnesotaCare each month for affordable, comprehensive health coverage. Without this action from HHS, the parents and children in working families who are enrolled in MinnesotaCare would have ended up underinsured starting in 2014.
“Even with tax credits available through the Health Insurance Exchange, many families would be unable to purchase adequate coverage. This federal guidance allows our state to keep MinnesotaCare and ensure working families have access to quality, affordable health care. Our members – the frontline caregivers in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes throughout the state – see all too often the struggles of working families without adequate coverage. They know that MinnesotaCare has been a lifeline for working people in this state for more than twenty years, and that an improved MinnesotaCare under the Affordable Care Act’s BHP option will remove waiting periods for coverage, eliminate the current in-patient hospital cap, and help thousands more hard-working Minnesotans to access quality coverage when they most need it.
“We are appreciative of Governor Mark Dayton and Commissioner Lucinda Jesson’s persistence in advocating for a continued, improved MinnesotaCare program. We are also grateful for the efforts of the federal delegation, especially Senators Franken and Klobuchar, for ensuring the interests of hard-working Minnesotans are put ahead of the interests of insurance companies. Finally, we would like to thank Senator Tony Lourey and Representative Erin Murphy for leading the charge for the Basic Health Plan here in Minnesota.”
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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 17,000 healthcare and long term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
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