To the Editor:
Next month I will be attending precinct caucuses where I will be supporting State Representative Paul Thissen. Being a 19 year-old college student, the two issues that affect me most are health care and education. In Minnesota, 240,000 families with insurance pay more than 25 percent of their income on health care. In recent months some of my family’s health benefits have disappeared while our basic insurance premiums have doubled. I am worried that even with a decent job I will not be able to afford health insurance.
As chairman of the House Health and Human Services committee last legislative session, Paul Thissen authored the Children’s Health Security Act, giving 40,000 children the chance to see a nurse or a doctor. He has worked to shift the focus of doctors and hospitals to preventative treatment, accessibility, and portability. Paul also believes that doctors should be paid to keep people healthy, not just cure sicknesses.
Being a first year college student, I also worry about the enormous amount of debt I will be left with once I graduate. Paul Thissen is dedicated to making college more affordable and accessible for all Minnesotans. He recognizes that tomorrow’s success of this state is determined by the success of young people today.
I am especially impressed by Thissen’s proposed legislation that would give graduates of Minnesota colleges and university a tax credit for their loan payments if they stay and work in Minnesota after college graduation.
I am supporting Paul Thissen for governor because I think he has both the understanding of important issues and leadership skills needed to set Minnesota on a path to a better future.
Thomas Trehus
Spring Grove, Minn.
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