Dem-NPL statement on FY2018 budget

(BISMARCK, ND) – In response to the release of President Trump’s 2018 budget, Democratic-NPL Executive Director Robert Haider issued the following statement:

“Unsurprisingly, this proposal is bad news for North Dakota. It includes windfall benefits for the wealthy and steep cuts to services for seniors, children, working families and rural communities, all while failing to balance our national budget or promote responsible spending policies. 

“Under this budget, hundreds of billions of dollars would be cut from Medicaid in the next 10 years. This would be especially harmful in North Dakota where tens of thousands of individuals rely on Medicaid for access to affordable health care. It slashes farm safety net programs, which are vital to North Dakota’s economy and protect hardworking farmers throughout our state. It further cuts funding for children’s health insurance and medical research, public schools and affordable student loan programs, and programs that support our most vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.   

“Simply put, this proposal benefits the wealthy while leaving the working class and rural North Dakotans out to dry. It cuts the vital programs that keep our communities safe and strong and our citizens healthy. And it is not an honest attempt at balancing our budget.”

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 Background:

NYT: Trump’s budget sets out an austere vision for reordering the nation’s priorities: President Trump plans to unveil on Tuesday a $4.1 trillion budget for 2018 that would cut deeply into programs for the poor, from health care and food stamps to student loans and disability payments, laying out an austere vision for reordering the nation’s priorities. The document [includes] an improbable promise of 3 percent economic growth. The wildly optimistic projections balance Mr. Trump’s budget, at least on paper, even though the proposal makes no changes to Social Security’s retirement program or Medicare, the two largest drivers of the nation’s debt. To compensate, the package contains deep cuts in entitlement programs that would hit hardest many of the economically strained voters who propelled the president into office. Over the next decade, it calls for slashing more than $800 billion from Medicaid, the federal health program for the poor, while slicing $192 billion from nutritional assistance and $272 billion over all from welfare programs. […] The plan would cut by more than $72 billion the disability benefits upon which millions of Americans rely. It would eliminate loan programs that subsidize college education for the poor and those who take jobs in government or nonprofit organizations.

Vox: The trillions in shocking cuts in Donald Trump’s budget, explained: What’s more, his budget assumes an extremely unrealistic economic growth rate — 3 percent, above the currently projected 1.9 percent — due to the administration’s tax plan. It appears the administration is counting on that growth both to pay for its spending in this budget and to pay for its tax cuts, meaning the budget doesn’t really add up at all. […] Cuts include:

All $880 billion in Medicaid cuts included in the Republican health plan that has passed the House, plus $610 billion in additional cuts due to adopting an even stingier formula for increasing Medicaid funding year over year. This amounts to a total cut to Medicaid of over 47 percent.

$191 billion in cuts from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That’s about a 25 percent cut. This will effectively kick many people off the program or dramatically cutting benefit amounts.

$40.4 billion in cuts to the earned income tax credit and child tax credit over 10 years, programs that, along with SNAP, make up much of the US’s safety net for poor people.

Trump’s budget take aim at crop insurance: Trump’s first budget proposal, set to be released Tuesday, asks Congress to slash food stamp spending in fiscal year 2018 by more than a quarter and severely restrict how much the federal government subsidizes crop insurance premiums for large farms — painful propositions as tens of millions of Americans struggle to make ends meet and the farm economy tanks under the weight of low commodity prices. The president’s plan, previewed by his budget chief on Monday, would deliver hits to mandatory spending on both sides of the farm bill, which lawmakers are scheduled to reauthorize in 2018, en route to delivering $228 billion in savings from farm bill programs over 10 years. And that’s on top of a reduction in USDA discretionary spending that is expected to be in the neighborhood of 20 percent, per the “skinny” budget the White House put out in March.

Kevin Cramer forced to defend increased health insurance costs for veterans

GOP health care bill would increase insurance costs for 8 million veterans nationwide

 

(BISMARCK, ND) – At a public event, Congressman Kevin Cramer was forced to defend provisions of the deeply unpopular Republican health care bill, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would increase health insurance costs for an estimated 8 million veterans nationwide. 

“The AHCA would remove protections previously enacted under the [Affordable Care Act] for pre-existing conditions, lifetime caps, the creation of high-risk polls, and protections for capped prescription costs,” said Jamie Stewart, a disabled National Guard veteran, who spoke to Cramer at the event. “This isn’t my opinion. These are opinions from organizations like Kaiser Family Foundation and AARP.”   

Stewart also shared that he suffers from a “chronic and debilitating” autoimmune illness resulting from an adverse reaction he had to a vaccine that was administered during his service. Stewart added that, because he is unable to receive the medical care he needs through the VA, he faces significant out-of-pocket costs.   

Over the last several months, Congressman Cramer has served as a key architect of the Republican health care bill, which would allow insurance companies to once again deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions and removes tax credits provided to veterans to help them purchase health insurance on the private market. As a result, according to the CBO, approximately 8 million veterans across the country would face the threat of increased health insurance costs.

North Dakota is home to over 56,000 veterans who would be especially impacted by the removal of these tax credits because many live in rural areas where it is difficult to access VA care, and so they choose to rely on private-market health care instead.

“I want to know what you expect me to do?” asked Stewart at the event. “If these measures become law, I’ll have to decide to either go into bankruptcy because I won’t be able to afford the increased premiums, or die because I can’t afford the necessary care.”

“I don’t personally believe you will have to make that choice,” Cramer responded before moving on to the next question.

# # #

BACKGROUND: 

GOP health care bill would strip away protections to ensure 8 million veterans receive tax credits: The agreement comes in a week in which Senate Democrats are standing apart from Trump on a separate issue affecting veterans, the GOP bill passed by the House to repeal and replace the nation’s health care law. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., warned the House measure would strip away explicit protections to ensure that as many as 8 million veterans who are eligible for VA care but opt to use private insurance would still receive tax credits. Many veterans use a private insurer if they feel a VA facility is too far away, or if they don’t qualify for fuller VA coverage because they have higher incomes or ailments unrelated to their time in service, said Duckworth, a combat veteran who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm during the Iraq war.

Cramer has a history of using veterans to further his political ambitions: You may recall in 2014 when Cramer unethically used the Veterans Cemetery in North Dakota for a campaign ad in his race against George Sinner. The ad used veterans’ headstones as if they were props and threatened funding for the cemetery. Cramer later took down the ad from TV after increased pressure but would not apologize for his distasteful act […] Cramer used veterans for political campaign purposes similar to the way he has used political talking points against Obamacare to win elections. Unfortunately after winning, he has decided his campaign against Obamacare was more important than his campaign for veterans. In his rush to repeal and replace Obamacare, he knowingly made it more difficult for millions of American veterans to afford access to healthcare outside of the VA he claims to despise.  

Quinnipiac: 21% Approve Of Revised GOP Health Plan: Only 21 percent of American voters approve of the Republican health care plan passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, a slight improvement over the 17 percent who approved of the first health care plan in March, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Overall, the current health plan goes down 56 – 21 percent. Except for an anemic 48 – 16 percent support among Republicans, every listed party, gender, educational, age and racial group opposes the plan, the independent Quinnipiac University Poll finds. Under the new plan, their health insurance costs will go up, 42 percent of voters say, while 11 percent say they will go down and 37 percent say insurance costs will stay the same. American voters approve 64 – 32 percent of the current law which prevents health insurance companies from raising premiums on people with pre-existing conditions. 

GOP health bill could cut kids’ Medicaid funding by $43 billion nationwide, $59 million in ND

Congressman Cramer was key architect of GOP health bill that also threatens Medicaid expansion for 20,000 North Dakotans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 19, 2017 

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – A nonpartisan report released yesterday shows the Republican health care bill, which narrowly passed the House and was authored in part by Congressman Kevin Cramer, could cut Medicaid funding for nondisabled children by $43 billion dollars nationwide, and by $59 million in North Dakota, over the next 10 years. Avalere Health, a leading healthcare research and consulting firm, prepared the report for the Children’s Hospital Association.

According to the report:

“Under an AHCA-like per capita cap model, federal [Medicaid] funding for traditional children would be reduced by a cumulative $43 billion over 10 years with reductions in spending becoming more dramatic each year.

[…]

Further, spending reductions for children will be even more dramatic when accounting for children enrolled through the disabled basis-of-eligibility group. On average, 1.6 million children between 0-18 years of age are enrolled in Medicaid each month due to disability and would also be impacted by federal funding reductions under the AHCA’s per capita cap model.”  

Additionally, according to the report:

Nationally, children represent the largest group covered by Medicaid […] Children in Medicaid could be disproportionately affected by cuts to funding and benefits leading to instability in coverage and access, which can cause higher rates of unmet healthcare needs and worse health outcomes compared to children that have continuous coverage.”   

In addition to capping funding for non-expansion Medicaid, which is a key aspect of the Republican health care bill, the legislation would also end Medicaid expansion by 2020. This would be especially painful for North Dakota, where 20,000 individuals have gained access to health care through Medicaid expansion and would be at risk of losing their care. Medicaid expansion is also particularly important to providing access to care in rural communities throughout North Dakota.

“Cramer has prided himself on being a key player in crafting and passing a bill that tons of independent reports show would jeopardize the health care of thousands of children in North Dakota on Medicaid, including many with disabilities,” said Democratic-NPL executive director Robert Haider. “By pushing a bill that was rushed through the House and hasn’t even had time to receive a final budget score, Cramer has again shown his true colors. This bill does not work for North Dakota families. Cramer should be standing up for North Dakota’s children, but instead, he’s just looking out for himself.” 

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BACKGROUND:

20,000 North Dakotans have gained access to health care through Medicaid expansion: A medical assistance program that serves nearly 20,000 North Dakotans faces potential changes under a Republican health plan introduced in the U.S. House in February. Maggie Anderson, medical services director overseeing the Medicaid division in the North Dakota Department of Human Services, said the plan does not eliminate Medicaid Expansion eligibility, but it does considerably reduce the federal money in the partnership with the states […] The Department of Human Services had estimated 20,500 North Dakotans would be eligible for Expanded Medicaid. Initial enrollment was well below that figure, but numbers rose and eventually leveled off near the estimate, Anderson said. As of last September, there were 19,358 individuals enrolled. Statistics show 58 percent of enrollees are rural; 54 percent are female; 48 percent are ages 19 to 35; 18 percent are ages 35 to 44; and 34 percent are ages 45 to 64. Medicaid serves individuals to age 65.

Dem-NPL response to Kevin Cramer ridiculing concerns over firing of FBI Director Comey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 10, 2017

(BISMARCK, ND) – Today, on a local radio program, Congressman Kevin Cramer ridiculed bipartisan concerns over the abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey, just as the investigation led by Comey into Russian interference in the U.S. election was ramping up.

Congressman Cramer repeatedly dismissed bipartisan concerns over Comey’s firing as “crazy” and “laughable in a pathetic way…It’s just a time for more hyper-partisan crazy liberal talk about Russia.”

Responding to Cramer’s flippant dismissal of growing concerns shared by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, North Dakota Democratic-NPL executive director Robert Haider said:

“Kevin Cramer laughing at an issue of serious national security is disgraceful. President Trump firing the FBI director and the investigation of Russia’s interference in our country’s elections are serious and unprecedented. Republicans and Democrats across Congress have expressed grave concerns with the president’s action, and North Dakotans deserve the same serious response from Kevin Cramer. Instead of making fun of those expressing concerns, he should be calling for a special prosecutor to lead an impartial investigation. Instead of name-calling, he should be standing up for North Dakotans’ security. While Cramer thinks bipartisan concern over Comey’s firing is something to laugh at, his inability to show even a shred of independence would be ‘laughable’ if it wasn’t so irresponsible.”

 -30-  

BACKGROUND:

Comey recently asked the Department of Justice for money for the Russia investigation: “A senior Congressional official with direct knowledge told NBC News that James Comey briefed Congress in recent days that he had requested more staff and money for the Russia investigation from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.  Comey’s request, which was first reported by the New York Times, sharpens the questions about whether his firing as FBI director on Tuesday was intended to quash the investigation.”

Prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas for records related to Michael Flynn: “Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas to associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn seeking business records, as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in last year’s election, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN learned of the subpoenas hours before President Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey.  The subpoenas represent the first sign of a significant escalation of activity in the FBI’s broader investigation begun last July into possible ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia.”

QUICK CLIP: Cramer defends gutting coverage for pre-existing conditions

Congressman Cramer was forced to try and defend the Republican health care bill on national TV, falsely claiming it will protect North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions. At best, he doesn’t know the details of the bill and, at worst, he is knowingly misleading his constituents. Watch the full interview here.

A sampling of what the experts say:

Associated Press: GOP health plan for pre-existing conditions spawns worries

Washington Post: Betrayal, carelessness, hypocrisy: The GOP health-care bill has it all

Washington Post: Republicans just hatched a last-ditch strategy to destroy Obamacare. It’s a total scam.

The Hill: Experts: New GOP funding for health bill not nearly enough.

Consumers Union: Upton Amendment to AHCA a ‘Drop in the Bucket’ That Does Nothing to Fix Fundamental Flaws.

Slate: Moderate Republicans Just Struck a Really Cynical Deal to Support Trumpcare.

CNN: Here’s a (partial) list of all the pre-existing conditions the GOP bill may not cover

CNN Money: This bill could leave millions uninsured

Associated Press: Americans with severe illness anxious over GOP health plan

And be sure to read Dem-NPL Executive Director Robert Haider’s Medium post on Cramer’s claims that people with pre-existing conditions are trying to “game” and “abuse” the system.

Cramer votes to put hundreds of thousands of North Dakotans at risk of losing health insurance

Bill takes away protections for preexisting conditions, essential health benefits

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – House Republicans voted today to put hundreds of thousands of North Dakotans – and tens of millions of Americans – at risk of losing their health insurance. The bill, which was cobbled together last minute and was not made available to the public prior to the vote, takes away protections for preexisting conditions – like cancer, asthma, diabetes, or women who are pregnant. Cramer recently stated that individuals with preexisting conditions are trying to ‘game’ and ‘abuse’ the healthcare system.

After the vote, North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Executive Director Robert Haider released the following statement:

“Simply put, Kevin Cramer sold out North Dakotans today. This bill is even worse than the initial proposal. Cramer placed partisan politics above the more than 300,000 North Dakotans with preexisting conditions, the more than 20,000 North Dakotans on Medicaid, and the tens of thousands of North Dakotans who could lose their coverage and critical benefits under this bill. And it would make older Americans pay five times more for care.
 
“Cramer put at risk every North Dakotan who receives health care. Across North Dakota, seniors, individuals and children with preexisting conditions, working families, and the most vulnerable are worse off because of Kevin Cramer’s vote. North Dakotans deserve better. Kevin Cramer should be ashamed of himself.”
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Background

–   Over 300,000 non-elderly North Dakotans have preexisting conditions and now risk losing protections under the Republican bill.

–   The bill was opposed by dozens of patient and health provider groups, including AARP, the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, and more.

–   The Republican plan cuts services for children with disabilities.

–   Individuals who receive health insurance through their employers – about half the country – will be at risk of losing protections that cap out-of-pocket costs for certain illnesses.

–   Up to 7 million veterans will lose access to health care under the Republican plan.

–   The bill allows states to seek waivers that would permit insurance providers to take away Essential Health Benefits from coverage plans.

Cramer says individuals with preexisting conditions like cancer and asthma attempt to ‘abuse’ health care system

Congressman Cramer justifies support for Republican health care bill with incoherent and ignorant comments

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – As the House gets ready to vote on the latest version of the Republican health care plan, Kevin Cramer continues to publicly support the bill – saying the measure that guts coverage of preexisting conditions is a good thing because it penalizes individuals with preexisting conditions, preventing them from attempting to ‘game’ and ‘abuse’ the system to avoid being bankrupted by the cost of health care. In response, Robert Haider, Executive Director of the Democratic-NPL Party, released the following statement:

“Kevin Cramer’s latest comments are incoherent and ignorant as he cheers on the Republican health care provision that allows states to opt out of providing coverage for preexisting conditions – like cancer, asthma, diabetes, or women who are pregnant. They demonstrate just how out of touch Cramer is with the needs of North Dakotans, including those individuals and children with preexisting conditions who need affordable health care to avoid bankruptcy and, in some cases, to stay alive. No family should have to make a life or death choice because their health care has been ripped away. We challenge Cramer to remember the over 300,000 North Dakotans with preexisting conditions who will be hurt by this legislation and vote against it.”

Dozens of groups – including the AARP, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, March of Dimes, National Organization for Rare Disorders, National MS Society, and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease – have come out against this legislation.

See Robert’s Medium post on Cramer’s comments: Kevin Cramer: People with preexisting conditions trying to ‘game’ and ‘abuse’ the system.

Statement from Senate and House Dem-NPL leaders on conclusion of the 65th legislative session

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Senate Democratic-NPL Leader Joan Heckaman (New Rockford) and House Democratic-NPL Leader Corey Mock (Grand Forks) issued the following statements following the conclusion of the 65th legislative session.

Sen. Joan Heckaman 

“Throughout the legislative session, our Dem-NPL caucus was committed to working in a bipartisan fashion on good, sensible policies for North Dakota, while also holding the majority accountable when they were reckless or attempted to pass policies that were not in the best interests of our citizens. Democratic-NPL lawmakers played crucial roles in shaping and passing legislation that will have meaningful impacts on the lives of North Dakotans in every corner and every community in our state – from Fargo to Williston; Bowman to Cavalier.

“Democratic-NPL lawmakers played key roles in shaping policies that will help continue Medicaid expansion, which provides healthcare to over 18,000 North Dakotans, foster innovation in our schools, provide alternatives to incarceration, and protect victims of abuse, assault and domestic violence. We also opposed ill-conceived and, at times, detrimental laws that would have drastically reduced education funding, implemented a school voucher system without accountability, taxed senior citizens, and cut programs for the elderly, the homeless and victims of human trafficking. In some cases, we were able to prevent these irresponsible policies entirely; in other cases, we were able to blunt the severity of their impact.

“When it came to balancing the budget, we had strong differences in our positions, approach and priorities with the Republican caucus. We made these differences known, and we will continue to make our case to the citizens of North Dakota. But as we gavel out this evening after a long day of finalizing our legislative work, Democratic-NPL lawmakers can and should be proud of their accomplishments and the conviction with which they fought for all North Dakotans.”

Rep. Corey Mock:  

“At the beginning of the legislative session, lawmakers from both parties confronted a budget shortfall of $1.5 billion. This shortfall was in part the result of low commodity prices and a sagging economy. But it was also the result of excessive spending over the last several sessions and ill-advised tax cuts that sacrificed much of North Dakota’s revenue to benefit corporations and oil companies. In fact, the cost of the corporate income tax cuts and oil extraction tax cuts passed by the Republican majority amounted to one-third of the budget shortfall we faced.     

“Lawmakers in the Democratic-NPL caucus recognized the need to make cuts, eliminate inefficiencies, and find more cost-effective ways to run government. And in many areas, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to accomplish this. However, many of the decisions made by the majority to close our $1.5 billion shortfall were neither responsible, nor fair to our citizens, nor sustainable for our future – and we strongly opposed them. These decisions were irresponsible because they imposed severe cuts to core services and eliminated proven, cost-effective programs that served our citizens well. They were unfair because they held corporations harmless while increasing property taxes and asking rural towns and working families to make disproportionate sacrifices. And they were unsustainable because the majority chose to drain our savings accounts, leaving few options to maintain our obligations and respond to future budget shortfalls.”

Internet privacy proposals introduced by Dem-NPL Rep. Hanson and Sen. Heckaman rejected by GOP lawmakers

(Bismarck, ND) – Two proposals introduced by Democratic-NPL lawmakers to protect North Dakotans’ Internet privacy and personal data have been rejected by Republican lawmakers. The proposals – one, an amendment to House Bill 1008 and, the second, a study on online privacy issues – were introduced by Democratic-NPL Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (Fargo) and Sen. Joan Heckaman (New Rockford) in response to an April 3 repeal of federal Internet privacy rules.

“Because of the federal repeal, Internet Service Providers can now collect and sell consumer data – including what people search for, watch, read, and download from the Internet – to be used for targeted advertising,” said Hanson. “What we proposed was to give North Dakotans more control over their personal information, resulting in greater protection for their online privacy.”

The federal rules required Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to get consent from consumers before using or selling their personal data – including browsing history, financial data, health information, and geolocation – to advertisers and other parties. Hanson’s amendment to HB 1008 would have required ISPs in North Dakota to get explicit consent to collect this data and stipulated that ISPs cannot charge different amounts based on whether customers consent to their terms.

“This opt-in requirement would assure North Dakotans that their sensitive data would not be collected and sold without their permission,” added Hanson.

Representative Hanson’s amendment to HB 1008 was rejected on a party-line vote of 2-4 during a conference committee meeting on April 17.

Senator Heckaman subsequently proposed that the legislature study the issue of how best to protect North Dakotan’s online privacy during the interim. Her study was added to the Senate version of House Bill 1015, which passed the Senate on April 24. However, today, House Republican Leader Al Carlson and Rep. Jeff Delzer blocked the study from inclusion in the final version of the bill.

“Consumer privacy isn’t an issue to take lightly,” said Heckaman. “Most North Dakotans can’t simply choose a broadband provider based on its privacy terms because they are limited in their choices. Since the repeal of the federal rules protecting Internet privacy, 10 other state legislatures – including Minnesota, Kansas, Montana, Wisconsin and Illinois – have responded by introducing Internet privacy legislation to protect consumers. North Dakota should be taking action to protect its citizens as well.”

BACKGROUND:

*On March 28, Congress voted to repeal a set of federal regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in October. President Trump signed the joint resolution on April 3. The repeal was done by using a tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which prohibits those federal agencies from ever making “substantially similar” rules again.

*Consumers often have little to no choice on what ISP they use. According to the FCC, only 24% of developed housing areas had at least two ISPs that offered broadband speeds.
The internet is classified as a utility service, so ISPs are regulated differently than websites and apps like Facebook and Google.

*An ISP can see and collect more about you than Facebook & Google.
A consumer can opt out of or block the targeted ads on Facebook & Google at no cost, but preventing ISPs from doing the same requires the individual to pay for a virtual private network (VPN).

Hanson Internet Privacy Amendment

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson provides powerful testimony on lack of funding for behavioral health care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 21

 

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Democratic-NPL Representative Karla Rose Hanson (Fargo) provided powerful testimony yesterday on HB 1040, a bill to address North Dakota’s behavioral health crisis by enacting recommendations from the interim Human Services Committee.

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Hanson said:

“Last fall, I was knocking on doors in my North Fargo neighborhood. One day, the man who answered the door apologized to me. I was surprised. And he said: ‘I’m sorry; I just can’t focus right now. Last night, my son overdosed on heroin, and it took two doses of Narcan to bring him back.

“He was distraught about his son, but he was also hopeless about what help could be available. So, we sat on his front steps and talked. We talked about the severe shortage of addiction treatment and mental health care across our state. And we talked about what the legislature can do through policy changes and by funding direct services. 

“This father is unfortunately not alone. I spoke with so many families who felt our state should place a bigger priority on behavioral health services. One mom cried on my shoulder because she lost a daughter to suicide. Another raged because the only way her son could get help for his addiction was to get treatment in jail. Many other families worried about the increase in property crime and violent crime in our neighborhoods […] 

“Across the state, we need to do more. Our behavioral health services are in a crisis, and it’s of our own making. Many of you, I’m sure, have had similar conversations with your neighbors. Because of these conversations, we pledged to our constituents that we will do more for behavioral health. We will address the shortage of treatment and mental health services in our communities. That’s what we’ve promised. 

“My concern with this bill is that it’s another broken promise. Yes, we need to cut budgets during this session, but we should be making smart cuts. We already know that proven programs like peer-to-peer support work and are cost-effective in helping those who are struggling. And we also know it’s effective because it will cost taxpayers less in the long run. By investing in these programs now, it helps us avoid costly medical treatment down the road as well as less cost for law enforcement and criminal justice. Undoubtedly, it will help avoid the ultimate cost of lost lives. 

“So, I’m disappointed in the drastically reduced funding for this behavioral health bill, and I know that North Dakotans will be disappointed by yet another broken promise.”  

When HB 1040 was first introduced, it contained a total of $28 million for North Dakota’s unmet behavioral health needs. By the time the bill was passed, however, it included only $350,000 in funding, just one percent of the original amount.

Originally included in HB 1040 was $7 million in state dollars (which would generate another $7 million in matching federal funds) for children and youth with severe mental health problems. The interim Human Services Committee identified 3,800 children and youth for whom this funding was intended. Unfortunately, this funding was cut out of the final version of the bill.

Rep. Kathy Hogan added:

“House Bill 1040 was the backbone of the interim Human Services Committee’s recommendation to address the need for expanded behavioral health services in North Dakota. It was a comprehensive bill to develop a full range of services based on the Schulte recommendations in 2014. It was comprehensive to address the needs of adults and children with mental health and substance abuse issues.  

“The original funding was $28 million, of which $14 million was from the general fund. This bill is still important because it provides small steps that will help many, but it really doesn’t the crisis in behavioral health.

“Suicide rates continue to grow. There are several people in this chamber who’ve been dealing with issues related to suicide that I’m aware of. The opioid crisis consumes many individuals and families. Children and adolescents with moderate or severe mental health needs are simply not receiving care. Fewer than 10 percent of adults with serious chronic mental health issues receive services.

“Knowing we have a budget crisis, it’s easy to say there is nothing we can do. But without providing these services, North Dakota and our citizens are still paying. Our emergency rooms, our jails and prisons, homeless shelters, foster homes, are filled with people who have nowhere to go. People are dying because of the behavioral health crisis.    

“I urge you to vote green on the many steps this bill addresses. But when you go home at the end of the session, listen to the stories, attend the funerals of people who have committed suicide or passed away from opioid overdoses. Visit with your health care and behavioral health providers. This is an issue that isn’t going away, and we will be back in two years to address it.”

# # #

Dem-NPL senators oppose legislation to study initiated ballot measure process

Bill was amended to exclude representatives from labor, tribes and the minority party

 

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – On a motion to reconsider, all Democratic-NPL senators voted against Senate Bill 2135 Monday morning. The bill, which establishes a commission to review the initiated ballot measure process, was amended in conference committee to exclude labor and tribal representatives, as well as one of two members from the minority party. 

“The initiated ballot measure process is the only direct way for citizens to enact public policy without first going through the legislature,” said Senate Dem-NPL Leader Joan Heckaman (New Rockford). “I believe we must be very careful when it comes to altering this process, and I’m concerned that the proposed commission excludes members from our labor and tribal communities, as well as one of the two members from the minority party. Given its current makeup, this commission doesn’t seem like a citizens commission, but rather a commission appointed by those who already control the levers of power at the state Capitol.”

 When SB 2135 was first introduced in the Senate, the bill proposed establishing a commission that only included representatives appointed by the majority party. Senator Heckaman testified in the committee hearing along with other concerned groups, and amendments were accepted that allowed minority representation as well as representation from labor and the tribes. However, once the bill was in conference committee, it was again amended, this time to exclude the labor and tribal representatives and reduce the number of minority members from two to one. 

“If our goal is truly to improve the initiated ballot measure process, it’s crucial for this commission’s recommendations to have credibility with all North Dakotans,” added Sen. Heckaman. “Given its current makeup, I think a significant portion of our citizens aren’t going to feel this commission’s recommendations are credible at all.”  

SB 2135 passed the Senate last week, with five Republicans joining all Democratic-NPL members in opposition, but it did not receive enough votes to carry its emergency clause. It was reconsidered Monday and passed on a strictly party-line vote. The bill now returns to the House, where it must be voted on again to either accept or reject the amendments.

# # #

House Dem-NPL Leader Corey Mock introduces resolution honoring UND hockey for 8th national championship

“North Dakota, here’s to you.”

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – House Democratic-NPL Leader Corey Mock (Grand Forks) today introduced a resolution honoring the University of North Dakota hockey team for its eighth NCAA Division I National Championship and its outstanding overall 2016 season. (The full resolution can be found here.) 

“We all know North Dakota has a long and proud tradition of athletic excellence, and one of the hallmarks of this excellence is the University of North Dakota hockey team,” said Mock. “This resolution honors UND hockey’s continued accomplishments and their remarkable 2016 championship season. We look forward to UND hockey leading the way to many more national championships in future seasons. North Dakota, here’s to you.”

House Concurrent Resolution 3035 formally recognizes UND hockey’s 5-1 National Championship win over Quinnipiac University on April 9, 2016. It also recognizes their impressive season, which was completed with 34 wins, 6 losses and 4 ties, as well as the leadership of Coach Brad Berry who “molded a team of outstanding individual athletes into a cohesive, unselfish team with balanced and explosive offense, unyielding defense, and stalwart goaltending.”

In presenting the resolution, Rep. Mock bantered with Assistant Republican Leader and NDSU alumnus Don Vigesaa (Cooperstown). “You know, the only way to get this through the delayed bills committee was to promise the three-out-of-five members who are Bison fans that I’d acknowledge the significance of NDSU’s five nationReps Corey Mock and Don Vigesaaal championships as well,” added Mock. “We can always find bipartisan cooperation when it comes to recognizing North Dakota accomplishments.”   

According to the resolution: “The 2015-16 team, which proudly claimed the eighth University of North Dakota hockey national championship, is an exemplar of the hockey program’s enduring fighting spirit and it’s opulent, unwavering, and extraordinary heritage.”     

Reps. Mock and Vigesaa also expressed their shared enthusiasm for the renewed rivalry between UND/NDSU football beginning Sept. 7, 2019 in Fargo.