5 Things Gov Tim Walz Accomplished in Health Care

Gov Tim Walz believes health care should be a right, not a privilege.

Image Credit: Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt Governor Peggy Flannagan - flickr.com

Since Vice President Kamala Harris chose Gov Tim Walz (D, Minnesota) as her running mate, she's praised him for his contributions to improving health care, highlighting his support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provided health insurance to millions of Americans, and his ongoing commitment to strengthening it.¹ Harris also noted Walz's efforts as Minnesota's governor to secure paid leave for workers and ensure that no student in public schools goes hungry by providing free school breakfast and lunch.

As Minnesota's governor since 2018, Walz has earned recognition for the state's top health care ranking and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs. His track record also includes advocating for reproductive rights, mental health resources, and public health measures.

Here are 5 Things Walz Accomplished in Health Care

1. Enhancing Mental Health Infrastructure

In 2022, Walz signed a $92.7 million omnibus mental health budget bill into law, aimed at strengthening Minnesota's mental health infrastructure.² The legislation allocates $60 million to increase hospital bed capacity, attract new mental health professionals, and expand mobile crisis units. An additional $30 million is dedicated to improving services for individuals in the criminal justice system who are found not competent to stand trial. The bill also includes funding for children’s mental health services, mobile crisis units, and grants and loan forgiveness for mental health professionals, reflecting a bipartisan effort to enhance mental health care access and support across the state.

The following year, Walz signed legislation into law that established the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force as part of the Health and Human Services Omnibus.³ Psychedelic medicine has garnered attention recently after years of research evaluating its therapeutic effects, particularly among those living with PTSD, making it a potential approach to improving the suicide epidemic among veterans.⁴ The task force is responsible for advising on legislation for “legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.”³

2. Protecting Patients’ Freedom in Health Care Choices: Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care

Walz has historically supported policies that protect people’s freedom in making their own health care decisions, especially related to reproductive rights and gender-affirming care.

“My record is so pro-choice, Nancy Pelosi asked me if I should tone it down,” Walz said to the crowd during his 2018 campaign event while he was running for governor.⁵ “I stand with Planned Parenthood, and we won’t!”

Within a year of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, Walz took action to protect health care providers in Minnesota, where abortion remains legal, and those who come to Minnesota seeking an abortion by signing a bill into law.⁶ The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act shields health care professionals and patients, regardless of their own state’s regulations on abortion, from legal attacks and criminal penalties from other states.

“Today, we’re protecting the rights of Minnesotans and making sure our state remains a place where people have the freedom to get the care they need to live their fullest lives,” Walz said in a statement.

On the same day, his signature would prevent mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy with vulnerable adults and clients under the age of 18 years. This bill also prohibits deceptive or fraudulent advertising methods for conversion therapy.

The third bill he signed protects those seeking or providing gender-affirming health care in Minnesota. Specifically, it bars state courts or officials from acting on child removal requests, extraditions, arrests, or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care in the state.

3. Expanded Access to Affordable Care, and Reduce Medical Debt Burdens

Walz has been instrumental in enhancing health care access and affordability in Minnesota.⁷ At 3.8%, the uninsured rate in Minnesota is also well below the national average of 7.7%, which Walz accomplished through making it easier for eligible state residents to purchase insurance. MNsure, the state's official health insurance marketplace, has signed up a record number of Minnesotans for private health plans.

Walz also signed into law legislation that eases the burden of medical debt for state residents by offering a number of protections, including preventing medical debt from impacting credit scores, eliminating medical debt transfers to a patient's spouse, and establishing strong protections from unethical medical debt collections practices.⁸

4. Improving Environmental Health & Safety

Through a combination of policy initiatives and collaborative efforts, environmental health and safety in Minnesota has been a priority for Walz.⁹ Under his leadership, the state has implemented stricter regulations on pollutants, focusing on reducing air and water contamination to protect public health. He championed the Clean Cars Minnesota initiative, aimed at reducing vehicle emissions and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, which not only improves air quality but also mitigates climate change impacts. Recognizing the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, he supported measures to ensure environmental justice, directing resources and attention to areas most affected by pollution. Additionally, Walz's administration prioritized the cleanup of contaminated sites, often referred to as brownfields, to reduce health risks and revitalize local economies.

5. Reducing Prescription Drug Costs, Increasing Transparency

The governor has taken significant steps to reduce prescription drug costs and improve insulin affordability in Minnesota. Recognizing the financial burden high medication prices place on families, Walz championed legislation aimed at capping out-of-pocket costs for insulin, making Minnesota one of the first states to enact such a law.¹⁰ The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, named after a young Minnesotan who tragically lost his life due to insulin rationing, was a key achievement under his leadership. This law mandates that pharmaceutical companies provide emergency insulin supplies to those in need at little to no cost, ensuring that no one is forced to go without this life-saving medication.

Additionally, Walz has supported broader efforts to control prescription drug prices by advocating for state-level reforms that increase transparency in drug pricing and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for unjustified price hikes.¹¹ His commitment to reducing drug costs is part of a broader strategy to make health care more accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans, especially those with chronic conditions requiring ongoing medication.

References

1. Remarks by vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz at a campaign event. News Release. The White House. August 6, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/08/06/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-and-governor-tim-walz-at-a-campaign-event/

2. Governor Walz signs mental health package into law. New Release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 2, 2022. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-529893

3. Sec. 99: Psychedelic Medicine Task Force. Minnesota Session Laws (2023). Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/70/#laws.4.99.0

4. Grossi G. Bipartisan letter to President Biden highlights promise of MDMA therapy for PTSD. AJMC^®. August 7, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/bipartisan-letter-to-president-biden-highlights-promise-of-mdma-therapy-for-ptsd

5. Harris J. Tim Walz' progressive record is so extreme Nancy Pelosi asked him to 'Tone it down'. The Western Journal. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tim-walz-progressive-record-is-so-extreme-nancy-pelosi-asked-him-to-tone-it-down/ar-AA1ooZ0g

6. Photos: Governor Walz signs three bills protecting Minnesotan's rights. News Release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. April 27, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-575115

7. Cohen JP. VP pick Walz' healthcare policies align with Harris's record. Forbes. August 6, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2024/08/06/vp-pick-walzs-healthcare-policies-align-with-harris/

8. Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrate historic climate action legislation in Minnesota. News Release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. May 31, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=579538

9. Governor Walz ceremonially signs legislation to help Minnesotans with burden of medical debt. News release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 17, 2024. Accessed August 9, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-627879

10. Governor Walz signs Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. New Release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. April 15, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-428439

11. Governor Walz announces action to bring transparency to prescription drug costs. News Release. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. June 26, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/#/list/appId/1/filterType/searchkeyword/filterValue/drug%20task%20force/page/1/sort//order/