Effective policy.
Driven by outcomes, guided by heart.

2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION PRIORITIES

Medicaid expansion into jails.

Minnesota’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver should be reworked to include coverage for people in county jails and state prisons. This effort saves counties money, improves health outcomes, and reduces taxpayer burden.

Statewide diversion program.

Our prosecutors, police and sheriffs know we can’t arrest our way out of our overdose crisis. What we can do is keep people who need treatment out of jail, reducing administrative costs and recidivism.

Modernizing the ecosystem.

Many of the services available in the state rely on outdated approaches and shun evidence-based interventions. Mandating access to effective treatments saves lives, improves outcomes, and reduces wasted spending on ineffective care.

CASE STUDY: California 1115 Waiver

California’s recent waiver request was approved, creating a specific benefit set for individuals who are within 90 days of release from incarceration. We know the period after release from incarceration is particularly dangerous for people with substance use issues. These types of waiver addendums are particularly promising and provide potential roadmaps for MN.

CASE STUDY: Kentucky SB90

Kentucky recently passed legislation mandating development of a pre-arrest diversion pilot program. This program, live in eleven counties in KY, helps ensure people with issues related to substance use are diverted from the criminal legal system as appropriate. Minnesota has similar opportunities to increase access to healthcare while diverting people from jail.

CASE STUDY: Missouri MAT requirements

Outdated approaches and intentional circumvention of guidelines for effective treatment increase risks of overdose and poor outcomes for recovery. Missouri realized that allowing for access to medications for substance use disorders doesn’t always mean they are used in an effective manner. Payments from government should following clinical guidelines.

Our partners

FAQs

  • MNRPA is a 501(c)(4). This is a type of non-profit that is able to do work to benefit the community through political advocacy.

  • We take donations from individuals and organizations that want to support making Minnesota a healthier place for people who use drugs, people who used to use drugs, and the many individuals and organizations who care about us.

  • We feel that people with lived experience are often taking a back seat to individuals from other communities. We believe that people with lived experience of drug use and recovery belong at the center of policy-making, and that the status quo is intolerable.

    We hope to build a space for people who feel similarly, and want build ways for us to have our voices heard by our legislative and executive leaders.

  • We need everyone to make our goals of reducing disparities, preventing harms related to drug use and drug policy, and building healing communities throughout the state. This will take all of us, regardless of background.

    If you have time, we want it. If you have money, we want it. If you want to just stay up to date around what’s happening at the capitol and around the state and country, that works too. Whatever you want to do, we want to have you.