Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Racial Health & Equity

Policy and advocacy

Leveraging policy to improve health outcomes

Our small but mighty policy team advocates for change at all levels of decision-making across the state of Minnesota. From non-profit policy to state law, our team works to increase positive health outcomes for communities by:

  • Cultivating leaders who speak for and from the community
  • Developing strategic coalitions, cohorts, and partnerships with community-based organizations and Indigenous communities
  • Advancing public policy that improves healthy eating and commercial tobacco control
  • Monitoring proposed legislation and evaluating its impact on community health

 

2024 policy change and advocacy actively supported by Blue Cross

Commercial tobacco policy advocacy:
As co-leaders of the Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation coalition, our primary objective for the 2024 legislative session focused on a bill aimed at banning the sale of all menthol and flavored commercial tobacco products, inclusive of e-cigarettes and vapes. Despite obstacles, we achieved significant progress during the 2024 session by hosting two successful committee hearings and leveraging our grassroots network through a Day at the Capitol and direct legislator engagement, which amplified support for this critical policy initiative.

Food insecurity policy advocacy: 
During the 2024 legislative session, Blue Cross advocated for three policy priorities aimed at addressing food insecurity:

  • School meals funding defense: We successfully countered potential threats to school meals funding by demonstrating the program’s critical importance and ensuring continued support from legislators.
  • SNAP funding increase for seniors: We supported a bill aimed at increasing SNAP funding available to Minnesota seniors, which didn’t pass in the 2024 session but reflects our ongoing commitment to this critical policy objective.
  • Fresh Bucks pilot program: We advocated for a bill to fund a pilot program that would provide matching funds for fresh produce purchases made by SNAP recipients in food retail settings. Although the bill did not pass due to budget constraints, we will continue to champion this initiative in the 2025 legislative session, recognizing its potential benefits in addressing food insecurity.