St. Paul Reporter

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, who has represented Minnesota’s 4th district in Congress since 2001, addressed a range of topics on her social media account this week, including health care access and local community updates.

On October 17, McCollum shared details from a meeting with MNsure CEO Libby Caulum and Minnesota Commerce Deputy Commissioner Julia Dreier regarding the potential impact of the loss of Affordable Care Act (ACA) credits for Minnesota families. She stated, "I met with @MNsure CEO Libby Caulum and @MNCommerce Deputy Commissioner Julia Dreier today to discuss how the loss of ACA credits will impact Minnesota families. Because of the Republicans' inaction, prices are going up – way up. Find your plan options at https://t.co/9PwEa4zeKC. https://t.co/EWneJCwGqT".

Later that day, McCollum marked National Mammography Day by emphasizing the importance of annual screenings for women over 40. She posted on October 17: "Today is National Mammography Day, a reminder that annual mammograms are important for women age 40 and older and save lives. Most insurance covers mammograms. The MN Sage Program offers free cancer screenings for those without insurance: https://t.co/Z8DRwnJyFe."

On October 18, McCollum highlighted an update from Como Zoo in Saint Paul: "Como Zoo has a new furry resident! Meet Astra, a 700-pound polar bear who made her splashy debut Monday. Astra won’t be at Polar Bear Odyssey until she’s acclimated to her new home. https://t.co/So8EPIFckO"

McCollum’s recent posts reflect both national policy concerns—such as healthcare affordability—and local community interests in her district.

Background information about Rep. Betty McCollum includes her long tenure representing Minnesota’s 4th District in Congress since succeeding Bruce Vento in 2001 and previous service in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001143). Born in Minneapolis in 1954 and currently residing in Saint Paul, she graduated from St. Catherine University with a BA degree in 1987.