Issue Position: Accessibe Health Care

Issue Position

"Every Minnesotan must have access to quality health care."

My wife, Cindy, has worked as an emergency room nurse for more than 30 years. That has helped me to see the struggles we face in providing medical treatment for everyone. Too many families are forced to treat health issues in the emergency room. It is so important to make the steps needed to provide accessible health care so people can visit their family doctor regularly rather than waiting until they need emergency care. This is not only risky for patients -- it is also very costly to the system. We can save lives and money by making preventive health care accessible. Every Minnesotan must have access to quality health care.

Cindy and I both lost our fathers to serious illness. Our families felt the pain and stress of their illnesses. We were fortunate that the one thing we did not have to worry about was their health care. If, like so many people, we would have had to worry about how our dads were going to get their care -- and who was going to pay the bill -- the experience would have been unbearable. I will work with you to provide care for those who need it most.

Personal responsibility is also critical to achieving a healthy community. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic. We must provide the incentives and information needed so our citizens can keep living healthy lives. Keeping our community members healthy is essential to controlling the rising costs of health care.

I am ready to listen to people from all sides of the health-care debate, those battling chronic illnesses, families providing coverage for their children, and health care providers. I know that with hard work and dedication, we will put our community on the path to good health.

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