A Partnership for Health Policy Progress: Gov. Tim Walz Named Kamala Harris' VP

Vice President Kamala Harris has named Gov. Tim Walz (D, Minnesota) as her Democratic running mate for the 2024 presidential election. In the wake of President Joe Biden stepping down from his re-election campaign, Walz vocalized his support for Harris on his active social media platforms, though the governor has yet to garner much national attention as the next vice presidential nominee. However, growing attention following viral incidents—including Walz’s branding of the “weird” Trump and Vance campaign—shed more light on his prior accomplishments and how he and Harris’ potential election could shape the country’s health care landscape.¹

Gov. Tim Walz

Image Credit: Getty Images - https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4808291-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-lgbtq-rights/

Walz, age 60, has held office as the governor of Minnesota for 2 terms since 2018. His prior experience includes that of a high school teacher and football coach, as well as a veteran of the Army National Guard and 5 terms in the US House of Representatives for the First Congressional District of Minnesota.

Walz Delivers Access to Quality Health Care in Minnesota

During his tenure, Minnesota has been acknowledged as the “Best State for Health Care” for the last 2 years, according to WalletHub.² This ranking considers a plethora of factors, including overall health outcomes, cost, access, and more. “Minnesota’s top spot in this ranking is a reflection of our world-renowned health care institutions and unwavering commitment to providing accessible and affordable health care to every Minnesotan,” Walz said in a statement. “From lowering prescription drug costs to helping Minnesotans access affordable health insurance, we are proud of the work we’ve done to make high-quality health care affordable and accessible for Minnesotans.”

Mitigating Cost Barriers to Prescription Drugs

Walz’s commitment to improving health care was exemplified in 2020 as he signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act into legislation.³ At this time, insulin prices had grown to be 3-times higher than they were in the previous decade. The Minnesota Department of Health had projected that, in Minnesota, 18,000 new cases of type 1 or 2 diabetes would be diagnosed annually, demonstrating the significant need to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The price of insulin was capped at $50 for a 90-day supply and allowed eligible individuals the opportunity to receive a 30-day supply once a year in case of emergencies for no more than a $35 co-pay. This bill was named in honor of Alec Smith, 26, who passed away after rationing his insulin which—along with other diabetes supplies—was costing him an unaffordable $1300 per month.

Additionally, Walz announced this past June the steps he has taken to promote transparency when it comes to drivers of prescription drug costs.⁴ As a result of his action, the Minnesota Department of Health made public an inaugural list that featured over 350 drugs from 76 manufacturers who would henceforth be subjected to reporting from pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, wholesalers, and drug manufacturers. These efforts aimed to bring awareness to what contributes to price increases and inform future policies on health care reform. Ventures to lower the cost of prescription drugs have also marked some of the crowning goals and achievements of the Biden-Harris campaign.⁵

Walz Stands Firmly for Patient Rights, Advocating for Solutions to Ongoing Public Health Issues

Complementing these initiatives, Walz’s track record has supported reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, the expansion of mental health resources for youth, public health and safety measures to influence the legal age for tobacco sale or the use of hand-held devices behind the wheel, as well as investments to improve water quality, remove harmful chemicals from the environment, increase access to affordable housing, and address child poverty.⁶

References

1. Who is Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor and Kamala Harris’ running mate? Fox 9. August 6, 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://www.fox9.com/news/who-is-tim-walz-minnesota

2. Governor Walz announces Minnesota ranked best state for health care. Mn.gov. News Release. July 30, 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-#/detail/appId/1/id/639131

3. Governor Walz signs Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Mn.gov. News Release. April 15, 2020. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-428439

4. Governor Walz announces action to bring transparency to prescription drug costs. Mn.gov. News Release. June 26, 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-630041

5. Remarks by Vice President Harris on lowering healthcare costs. Wh.gov. August 29, 2023. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/08/29/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-on-lowering-healthcare-costs/

6. Governor Walz’s signature accomplishments. Mn.gov. Updated 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://mn.gov/governor/accomplishments/accomplishments.jsp