Senator Rasmusson Earns Healthcare Champion Award for Expanding Eye Care Access

The Minnesota Optometric Association named Fergus Falls Sen. Jordan Rasmusson its Healthcare Champion, recognizing his central role in passing legislation that modernized the state's optometric scope of practice for the first time in more than two decades.

The legislation, which passed in June 2025 and took effect August 1, 2025, removed outdated restrictions on oral medications and allowed optometrists to perform certain additional in-office procedures. Before the change, Minnesota ranked in the bottom 10% nationwide for optometric scope of practice, according to the association.

Dr. Tate Herman, president of the Minnesota Optometric Association, credited Rasmusson with understanding the practical barriers patients faced. "Senator Rasmusson understood the barriers our patients faced and fought tirelessly to ensure that doctors of optometry can practice to the extent of their education and training," Herman said. "This is a win for every Minnesotan."

Rasmusson framed the update as a matter of practical access for rural communities already relying on local eye care providers. "Updating outdated restrictions makes it easier for Minnesotans to access quality care from the optometrists already serving their communities," he said. "Thank you to the Minnesota Optometric Association and all advocates who helped make this change possible."

The eye care legislation was not Rasmusson's only health-related push during the 2025 session. In July 2025, he championed a $55 million investment to add 50 new psychiatric treatment beds at the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, the state's largest psychiatric hospital. The funding was aimed at reducing the backlog of patients held in county jails while awaiting psychiatric placement, a problem Rasmusson heard described directly at a Public Safety Round Table in Otter Tail County, where he met with local sheriffs, police chiefs, and county attorneys.

Otter Tail County Attorney Michelle Eldien cited that collaboration as evidence of Rasmusson's sustained commitment to the issue. "He has been an instrumental champion for addressing mental health capacity increases in the state of Minnesota to alleviate the burden on county attorneys and law enforcement to create placement options for one of our most vulnerable populations," Eldien said.

Rasmusson, a sixth-generation Otter Tail County resident who grew up in Fergus Falls, represents Senate District 9, covering Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Traverse, and Wilkin counties. He serves as Assistant Republican Caucus Leader and as Ranking Member of the Senate Human Services Committee. He announced his reelection bid for the district on January 13.