Legislative Session Starts; MMA to Focus on 5 Major Issues
February 19, 2026
State lawmakers returned to St. Paul on February 17 for the second half of the 2025-2026 biennium.
NAMI Minnesota Appoints New Executive Director
October 2, 2025
The Board of Directors of NAMI Minnesota has appointed Marcus Schmit as its next executive director, effective October 27.
Schmit succeeds Sue Abderholden, who has led the organization for more than 20 years, and whose advocacy has elevated NAMI Minnesota into one of the state’s most trusted voices for mental health.
Schmit currently serves as executive director of Hearth Connection, a nonprofit focused on ending long-term homelessness through supportive housing and systems partnerships. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit and public sector leadership, Schmit brings a strong track record in public policy, systems change, and coalition-building.
Schmit’s career includes serving as assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, director of advocacy at Second Harvest Heartland, and senior roles with MNsure and in the Office of Congressman Tim Walz.
Latest News
MMA Leaders Testify on Medicaid Cuts
February 19, 2026
On the second day of the legislative session, MMA leadership was already advocating for one of its top priorities - minimizing the harm of federal changes to Medical Assistance (MA).
MMA Priority Bill on AI and Prior Auth Already Moving at the Capitol
February 19, 2026
Legislation to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in prior authorization requirements was heard in the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee on February 19.