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TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766
Volume 34, Number 3
March 2023
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Day on hill for mental health is set
MENTAL HEALTH To page 3
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Handmade signs made a colorful appearance at the first rally in three years.
Advocates make a strong return for 2023 legislative rally days And we’re back! Minnesotans with disabilities and their allies have enjoyed a return to the halls of state government during the 2023 legislative session. The first big rally for Disability Advocacy Week in February drew a large crowd. Another big group is expected Tuesday, March 28 for Disability Services Day. Groups continue make the case for legislation including measures to better compensate direct support staff and compensate them for driving clients. With the first bill deadline on March 10, there’s much activity to get measures through for further action. More than 100 people attended the first big in-person event February 14 since COVID shut things down in 2020. The rally, part of Disability Advocacy Week, was like old times at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) building as people reconnected and caught up. Although the usual march to the capitol was canceled due to sleet and
PCA issues go on Page 4 At the rally Page 6-7
icy conditions, advocates crowded the rotunda to hear legislators and Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. Gov. Tim Walz was traveling and unable to attend this year’s rally. One message repeatedly shared is that with a large budget surplus, this is the year to take action on disability requests that have been languishing for years. “Everyone is needed if we’re going to succeed," said Brittanie Wilson. The Arc Minnesota staffer was emcee for the event. Advocates who spoke focused on three key pieces of legislation. One is needed reforms for Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD). The reforms are in SF1637/ HF1660. Rob Wudlick is one of the founders of the Get Up Stand Up group that focuses on spinal cord issues. He explained that while MA-EPD has provided health RALLY DAYS To page 6
Minnesota champions of disability rights remembered Minnesotans with disabilities and their allies mourn the loss of two champions in the halls of government. David Durenberger played a key role in passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in his years in the U.S. Senate. Lee Greenfield was a tireless worker for improved health care and disability programs as a member of the Minnesota Legislature.
Part of ‘Gang of Seven’ Greenfield, a DFLer who served 11 terms in the Minnesota House, was a true disability rights advocate. He was deeply concerned about the affordability of health care, and played a key role in establishing MinnesotaCare. The Minneapolis resident was 81 when he died February 7. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Greenfield graduated from Stuyvesant High School. He earned his B.S. in physics from Purdue University. In interviews Greenfield said his scientific background and love of data uniquely
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Minnesota’s mental health needs will take center stage at Mental Health Day on the Hill Thursday, March 9. Led by National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Minnesota and Mental Health Minnesota. Several hundred advocates from around the state are expected to attend, hear speakers and then meet with the legislators to discuss key issues. It’s the first in-person day for Minnesota’s mental health advocates since 2020, and organizers are planning for a big turnout. Buses from Grand Rapids, Duluth, St Cloud, Winona and Rochester will bring rally attendees to the capitol, but people can also drive or take transit in the Twin Cities. A welcome and policy briefing will be held at 9:30 a.m., at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill, just northwest of the capitol on University Avenue. Participants will hear an overview of current mental health policy and funding issues involving the Mental Health Legislative Network. Then all will head to the capitol rotunda for an 11 a.m. rally, to hear from legislators and advocates. The event will be livestreamed so that people who cannot attend in person can stay involved. NAMI Minnesota has an active Facebook page and often livestreams events there. Those who do attend in person can meet with legislators after the rally, or during the entire week of March 6-10. The event organizers can help advocates with finding their state lawmakers, talking points and other information. Training can be provided on-demand. Register for the event at bit. ly/3KDwI8d Network members are working together to combine many issues into more than a dozen mental healthfocused bills. They are also supporting a wide range of bills brought forward by other disability advocates. The Mental Health Legislative Network is made up of more than 40 organizations working together to improve the state’s mental health system. The network also works with local mental health advisory councils throughout the state. The 2023 legislative session has already been a very active time for the network. One important issue is the mental health workers’ shortage, and the need for a more diverse workforce. Reducing the barriers to help people become licensed is a major focus. Other measures affect children and teens, in educational and medical settings. Another education focus is to establish lead mental health positions in the state’s Department of Education. Public safety is another issue with several areas to consider. So is legalization of cannabis, which is
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David Durenberger spoke at a University of St. Thomas event. prepared him for legislative work, and led to his interest in health care issues. He attended graduate school in
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philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota. Greenfield became active in DISABILITY CHAMPIONS To page 9