Minnesota COACT, the state's largest citizens lobby in the area of
health care, this week announced its formal support of Brian T. Biele
for State Representative from Southeast Minneapolis. The 28 year old
Biele is in a tight primary race with the 28 year incumbent Phyllis
Kahn, who has represented Legislative District 59B since 1972.
Founded in 1975, COACT (Citizens Organized ACting Together) works on a
variety of economic issues, especially health care reform. It wants to
take medical decision-making authority back from Health Maintenance
Organizations (HMO's) and return it to doctors and patients. COACT has
historically supported establishment of a universal health insurance
plan administered by a single-payer system.
Biele had worked on health care issues for eight years as a community
organizer and citizen lobbyist for COACT, the Senior Federation, and
other non-profit pubic policy groups.
Biele had this to say about COACT's decision. "I am happy to receive
COACT's support; they have worked for 25 years on important economic
issues in Minnesota, promoting universal health care and a level playing
field for family farmers. I gained great respect for the organization
and its mission when I worked for them."
"This support reinforces my belief that everyone must share in our
current prosperity, and that the state must protect the less fortunate
especially when it comes to necessities like prescription drugs. Health
care should be a right, not a luxury or a perk based on where you work."
Biele said he supports COACT's proposal for universal health care over
the long term, and the near-term development of a state-organized
prescription drug pricing plan to ensure Minnesota residents the best
price offered in the US. This would follow the example of the State of
Maine which recently passed such a law. "This way," Biele said, "the
citizens will get the benefit of reduced costs, not the managed care
companies'."
To date, Biele has won endorsement from Minnesota Teamsters, the Police
Officers Federation of Minneapolis, and Minneapolis Building and
Construction Trades Council, as well as an Acceptable rating from the
DFL Stonewall Caucus.
For more information contact Brian Biele at 612-617-0334 or the website
at http://www.biele2000.com
