Access to health care under dire threat

We need to support access to health care, not gut it.

I've seen firsthand how access to sexual and reproductive health care and information changes people's lives for the better.

As president of Students for Reproductive Justice at Minnesota State University, each time we table or host an event, someone comes up and thanks us for being there. Each time someone comes to us about contraception or pregnancy tests, and gets information and access without shame or judgement, they feel safe.

But access to such critical care and information is now under dire threat. Medicaid is under attack by the GOP-led congress, including District 1's Congressman Brad Finstad. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health insurance to eligible low-income individuals, families, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. Finstad voted to take health care away.

Representatives should be helping their communities. They should listen to their constituents and care about their lives.

Students and people need access to sexual and reproductive health care, like at our local Planned Parenthood. It's just a 20-minute walk from campus, making it easy for people to access care. We should be supporting and investing in these organizations who help people of all income levels get care they need and that I'm often asked about, like contraception and pregnancy tests.

We at Students for Reproductive Justice are watching Finstad's moves and are organizing students and people on campus to contact our representatives and remind them that they work for us, and that they should be helping people access care, instead of cutting them off.

Deyton Drost

Mankato