Minnesota Candidates for Governor Discuss Livable Communities, Health Care

AARP asked the candidates for Minnesota governor how they would help Minnesotans save for retirement, create more livable communities, protect vulnerable adults and make prescription drugs more affordable.

QUESTION 1: 40% of workers in Minnesota don’t have a way to save for retirement at work. Knowing that employees are 15 times more likely to save merely by having access to payroll deduction, what will you do to create new savings models, above and beyond education efforts, so more people can start saving for retirement? 

QUESTION 2:  A livable community is one that is safe and secure, has housing that is affordable (no more than 30% of income is spent on housing), transportation options, and offers supportive community features and services for people of all ages and allows people to remain in their communities as they age. What steps will you take to ensure all Minnesotans have access to livable communities?

QUESTION 3: The gravity of the elder abuse crisis in Minnesota revealed a broken system of care and regulatory oversight that failed to protect older vulnerable adults from abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. What steps will you take to give vulnerable adults the tools to enforce their rights and strengthen public oversight of assisted living facilities?

QUESTION 4: The cost of health care continues to rise leaving too many Minnesotans struggling to afford their prescription drugs, premiums, deductibles, and out of pocket expenses. What will you do to ensure prescription drugs and health coverage, including public programs such as MinnesotaCare are accessible and affordable?