Legislative Work
The 2025–2026 session kept me busy as Co-Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee, and as a member of the Ways and Means and Education Policy Committees.
Below is a look back at the bills I authored this biennium — the ones I led on myself and fought hardest for on your behalf in St. Paul.
This is only part of the story — I also worked alongside more than 100 of my colleagues on bills covering everything from gun safety to housing to consumer protection.
I'll keep fighting for a Minnesota where health care is affordable, our community is safe, and Apple Valley keeps thriving.
Healthcare Access & Affordability
Improving patient access and affordability has been a fundamental goal of my legislative career.
Whether it is:
helping constituents afford their pharmaceuticals by directing insurance companies to align their plans to the needs of people, (HF0633),
extending periodontal care for Medical Assistance patients, (HF0838),
or institute the principal of Public Interest into Hospital mergers, (HF0402),
I will always prioritize the healthcare needs of people each day I have the honor to serve.
In this year’s legislative session, as Co-Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee, in a divided House, I defended our previous hard fought wins, such as reproductive freedoms and removal of unnecessary prior authorizations by insurance companies.
I co-authored and helped pass the bill to require insurance companies to provide data on all denied claims so we can better understand and respond to the impact of such delays on patient care.
I also worked with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to reset the future of our most critical Trauma 1 hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center.
In addition we brought some relief to the most challenged rural hospitals facing severe headwinds. We obtained rate increases for Critical Access Hospitals and stabilization funding for hospitals with a disproportionate level of uncompensated care. (HF4466).
I also authored and passed funding for an extension of school-linked behavioral health grants, as well as Mobile crisis grants. (HF4531).
“No one should have to choose between health care and paying the rent — and no one should have to fight an insurance company just to get the care their doctor already prescribed.”
Protecting Medical Assistance & Minnesota Care
A big part of my work this past session was making sure Medical Assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid program) keeps working for the people who depend on it: kids, seniors, people with disabilities, and those who need it most.
Republican cuts to Medicaid affect the healthcare of all of us.
Eliminating children from the Children Health Insurance Program (CHIPS) is not ok. I am working to mitigate the harmful effects of these cuts from Washington.
I authored increases to the low Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians (HF4837), and increased the number of physical therapy visits allowed for kids with complex needs (HF1005).
I also worked to strengthen the rural, county-administered Medical Assistance program that keeps care available outside the metro (HF4467), and sponsored bills to help guide the Health and Human Services budget bills that fund these programs biennium after biennium (HF4466, HF2435, HF4969, HF4547).
“Whatever happens in Washington, Minnesotans deserve a health care safety net they can count on.”
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Throughout the 2025-2026 biennium I continued my work expanding access to mental health care.
I authored a comprehensive bill outlining the blueprint for a mental health care continuum with an increase for Medical Assistance reimbursement rates for mental health services (HF4719).
I authored legislation to establish early childhood mental health consultation grants, and to strengthen protections in home and community-based mental health services (HF4379).
I also authored legislation to require that insurance companies credential and contract with qualified mental health providers, so patients have options for the care they need, and their networks don't quietly shrink (HF3964).
On substance use, I authored a bill requiring the state to build a comprehensive substance use and addiction plan (HF2856), added members to the state's opioid subcabinet (HF1470), secured opioid prevention and education funding (HF0981), and updated Minnesota's prescription monitoring program to help prevent misuse (HF2624).
“Mental health care is health care, and it shouldn't be any harder to access than any other kind of treatment.”
Supporting People with Disabilities & Aging Minnesotans
I authored legislation strengthening protections for assisted living residents (HF2757), and modernized the supplemental nursing services and case mix reimbursement rules that determine how that care gets paid for (HF2755, HF2756).
I championed a disability inclusion pilot project to open more doors for Minnesotans with disabilities (HF1092), and was proud to author funding for the Helping Paws program, which breeds, trains, and places service dogs with Minnesotans who need them (HF3939).
“Every Minnesotan deserves to age, and to live with a disability, with dignity — not red tape.”
Public Safety
I authored legislation establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Health (HF3668), bringing a public health lens, data-driven approach to reducing gun violence in our communities. This is the same kind of approach that's helped us make real progress on other public health challenges.
This work builds on the gun safety laws we've already passed, and it doesn't get in the way of hunting, sport shooting, or the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis, and treating it that way will save lives and reduce community trauma.”
Investing in our Community
Closer to home, I authored funding for a major upgrade to Apple Valley's water treatment plant (HF3632), capital improvements for the Apple Valley Sports Arena (HF0223), and capital funding for an inclusive and handicap accessible playground which will open this fall (HF3348).
I also continued my work securing funding for the Minnesota Zoo, including asset preservation and a new animal hospital (HF3628, HF1162, HF2034, HF1091). The Zoo is a state asset and resource that draws visitors from across the state and globe right here to our district.
“Apple Valley's growth depends on the infrastructure we build today.”