I am writing to share my deep and sincere concern that the House Republican Caucus leadership's health and human services budget proposal will cut important health services vital to Minnesotans. 

After years of cuts to health and human services, Minnesota now has a nearly $2 billion surplus, so it is surprising that Republican leaders would now consider cutting health and human services in ways that will have real impacts to coverage and services in our community.

The Greater Minnesota health care system is particularly fragile. We cannot sustain $1 billion in cuts. Reductions in health care services and employment in health care would likely happen. When we lose our health care coverage, we still get sick, and now we'll be forced to access health care services in the emergency rooms, which just costs the system more money.

The more than $1 billion proposed cuts will likely fall hardest on the sickest and most vulnerable people in our communities, including the disabled, working families struggling to make ends meet and seniors. That is wrong.

Minnesota has been a national leader in providing coverage and delivering health care. With a $2 billion surplus, we know that you and your Caucus can do better in protecting the health care system in our communities and in keeping Minnesotans covered.

I am asking you – as our leaders – to please do right by Minnesota's families and nation leading health care system and protect health and human services investments.​