94th Legislative Session, Week 19
Legislative Lowdown – Week 19
Minnesota’s 94th Legislative Session
Week ending May 24, 2025
Hold, Please.
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned Monday night—without finishing much of its budget and policy work. Typically, the final days of session involve conference committees reconciling House and Senate versions of bills. But this year? The clock ran out. Now, work continues in informal “working groups” behind (mostly) closed doors.
Once agreements are reached, the Governor is expected to call a special session—lasting 1, 3, or 5 days, depending on whether both chambers vote to suspend the rules. The urgency is real: Minnesota needs a budget soon to avoid a government shutdown.
Specific Health Updates
SHRS funding (Sexual and Reproductive Health Services) is still in limbo. This vital program supports comprehensive sexual health services across Minnesota. We need to keep the pressure on—contact your lawmakers HERE.
MinnesotaCare Expansion to undocumented adults remains unresolved. A compromise to maintain coverage only for undocumented children is currently on the table—but that’s not enough. Health care should not depend on immigration status. Make your voice heard—join the PROTEST (Tuesday, May 27 12:00 PM at the Capitol, in front of Governor Walz’s office) and keep CALLING!
Governor Tim Walz – 651-201-3400
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy – 651-296-5931
House Speaker Melissa Hortman – 651-296-4280
House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth – 800-947-8264
STI Education Bill – Left Behind. The push to ensure STI education in Minnesota is medically accurate (not just “technically accurate”) was cut from the final joint higher ed bill. This is a major setback for reproductive and public health—students, families, and educators deserve better.
Planned Parenthood Closures.
Planned Parenthood North Central States just announced the closure and consolidation of eight health centers, including Alexandria, Apple Valley, Bemidji, and Richfield in Minnesota. This difficult decision reflects the growing crisis in reproductive health care access. PPNCS will maintain 15 remaining centers and expand virtual care to meet patient needs. These closures underscore why protecting funding and access at the state level is more urgent than ever.
Federal Threats Loom – Reproductive and Public Health on the Chopping Block.
The U.S. House just passed a sweeping bill that dramatically slashes funding for essential health programs to bankroll tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Among the hardest hit: reproductive health care, mental health services, addiction treatment, and public health infrastructure.
This bill is a direct attack on Title X, Medicaid, contraception access, and abortion rights. It eliminates key health grants and hollows out the systems Minnesotans rely on—from STI testing to maternal health. The impact would be especially devastating for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and low-income families.
This is not just bad policy—it’s cruelty disguised as economics.
Call your U.S. Senators now and tell them to block this legislation. Health care is a human right—and we’re watching.
Stay tuned and stay loud. With a special session on the horizon, there’s still time to demand that Minnesota’s budget reflects our values—and protects our health.