Minnesota Farmers Union

St. Paul (February 27, 2009) - Minnesota Farmers Union member Elaine Torpet of Fertile recently testified before the Minnesota House of Representatives Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in favor of the Minnesota Health Plan.

Elaine grew up in Canada and has lived in the United States for 47 years.  Shortly after moving here, she started tirelessly working for health care reform.

"Being raised in Canada, and living on a farm in the United States gives Elaine a great perspective into the problems of our country's health care system," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "She understands the struggles family farmers go through finding health care coverage off the farm, as well as what it was like to live in a country that has universal health care.  You'd be hard pressed to find anyone better qualified than Elaine to help us fix our broken health care system."

"Having been born and raised in Canada, married to an American and living down here for the past 47 years, health care has been a great concern," said Elaine Torpet.  "We are still back where Canada was in 1867 when they put the right to health care into the British North America Act, only we still don't have a plan, nor is it in our Constitution.  I have tried for 47 years to gain back the kind of health care that I lost when I got married, and I can't wait another 50 years!"

Minnesota Farmers Union belongs to the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition.  Committee members tabled this legislation.