Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week brought another round of hearings and discoveries. In Health and Human Services Reform we’ve moved closer to assisting counties in efficiency and flexibility while having some serious discussions about healthcare and accessibility for our most vulnerable populations. We also have further vaccine updates.
There are more details in this newsletter, but know the work continues at an increasing pace. We are only a few weeks away from first bill deadlines so its a rush to properly evaluate good legislation and make sure it gets where it needs to go.
With temperatures finally in the positive double digits, everyone stay safe, warm and in touch.
John
Brooklyn Park Resident Lost in Ethiopian Human Rights Struggle
Jawar Mohammed, a resident of Brooklyn Park with a wife and son still living in Minnesota, among many others in Ethiopia are being held without due process. They are political prisoners as members of the opposition party cannot run for office and people have been murdered. This is a violation of key human rights that all people deserve and we join together in a non partisan manner with our Oromo brothers and sisters asking for these individuals freedoms, and for Jawar to be returned home. As Senator Abeler said, ” For a father to be returned home.”
Black History Month: Minnesota Human Rights Act
The Minnesota Human Rights Act passed in 1967 and prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business based on protected class, such as: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Considered one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country when it was originally passed, the Human Rights Act maintains that distinction today and affords protections for Minnesotans across many areas of life.
The act has been updated many times to reflect the growing need to address systemic racism. The act was updated in 1969 to make it illegal for an employer to maintain an employment system that excludes applicants based on race or any other protected class status. The Criminal Offenders Rehabilitation Act was added in 1974, limiting the ability of state and local government employers and licensing agencies to refuse employment or licensure to individuals based on criminal history.
Added in 1990 was a section making it an illegal practice to engage in an intentional refusal to do business or to refuse a contract with someone based on their race or other protected class status. The Ban the Box initiative was added for public employees in 2009, which allows candidates with an arrest or conviction on their record an opportunity to be evaluated on their skills and experience before their criminal history is considered when applying for jobs. Ban the Box was expanded in 2013 to include private employers as well. Statewide workforce participation goals increased for communities of color in Greater MN under the act in 2017, and the Legislature continues to evaluate and update the Human Rights Act as it continues to address and work to eliminate discrimination.
The history of Minnesota’s Human Rights Act has shown that we can fight discrimination, but it also shows that the fight is far from over.
Senate considers extending reinsurance
Minnesota’s reinsurance plan – the Minnesota Premium Security Plan – originally provided state money to insurance companies to subsidize high-cost enrollees to incentivize those companies to lower their advertised premiums. It encourages – but does not require – insurance companies offering plans on the individual market to hold down their rates.
The Legislature extended it for two years in 2019 and this week, the Senate Commerce, Health and Human Services Finance, and Finance committees all considered a bill to extend the program one additional year.
Reinsurance has more or less achieved its goal, holding down annual average health insurance rates about 20% from where they would have been without the program. However, the lower rates have come at more than $542 million in taxpayer expense and about $100 million per-year reduction in federal funds that support MinnesotaCare. In addition, reinsurance subsidizes high health care costs, which some argue discourages insurance companies from doing anything to improve the cost of care or health outcomes in general. The federal waiver required to run the program expires next year. If this temporary and costly fix passes, the Legislature will soon be required to find a more permanent solution to lower premiums.
Several Unemployment Insurance bills heard to address inequities in Social Security
A bill was heard in the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee earlier this week to eliminate the unemployment insurance benefit deduction for workers collecting social security. Minnesota is one of the last states remaining that makes this deduction for workers collecting unemployment insurance. AARP is in support of this proposal and provided testimony that the pandemic has really highlighted the need to correct this inequity. The proposal was laid over in committee for possible inclusion in a larger omnibus bill.
The remaining bills provided allowed qualifying workers to collect unemployment while going to school as well as a proposal that temporarily codifies several of Governor Walz’s Executive Orders related to unemployment insurance. (SF 798, SF 435, SF 920)
Proposal to reduce energy and water consumption receives its first hearing
The Senate Energy and Utilities Committee heard a proposal this week that would establish a revolving loan fund in the renewable development account for making improvements to state-owned buildings that would reduce energy and water consumption.
If passed, this program – called the State Building Energy Conservation Revolving Loan Fund – would bring Minnesota into alignment with similar programs adopted in 31 other states. Loans would be made at or below market interest rates – including zero interest loans, and they would be paid back within seven years using the savings seen as a result of decreased energy and water consumption. The funds could be used for various projects including, but not limited to, installing LED lighting, digital controls for heating or cooling, water irrigation controls, and low flow toilets.
The bill did not receive any opposition when it was heard in either chamber, and it was laid over for possible inclusion in a larger omnibus bill to be assembled later this session. (SF 543)
LOCAL NEWS
The Anoka-Hennepin school district is considering remote learning for all of next year.
Online tools help Minnesotans determine where and when to get vaccinated
Champlin teen manufactures dog wheelchairs for families in need
Adorable animatronic pets provide comfort to Brooklyn Park senior communities.
hank You!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit. You must schedule with our office to arrange an appointment before any arrival, and we also do Zoom meetings! So reach out and tell me what matters to you or schedule an appointment so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn or by phone at 651-296-4154. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2235 in the Minnesota Senate Building.
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn.
COVID-19
Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
A new tool launched this week will help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Current eligibility for vaccines is still limited to Minnesotans over 65, health care workers, long-term care residents, childcare, and K-12 personnel, but the Vaccine Connector will be a helpful way to notify other Minnesotans once it’s their turn to get a shot and connect them to resources to schedule an appointment.
Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, regardless of their current vaccine eligibility status. Along with eligibility criteria related to age, employment, and health status, Minnesotans will be asked, but not required, to provide certain demographic information to help the state track and improve the equity in our state’s rollout. This is a voluntary tool and all data submitted is protected under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Adults 65+ that sign up for the Vaccine Connector will be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites in Minneapolis, Duluth, and Rochester. Anyone who already registered for an appointment through the pilot program or community vaccine program does not need to resubmit their information. Minnesotans over 65 are still encouraged to use the Vaccine Locator mapto find nearby vaccine distribution sites and make an appointment to receive a vaccine through the providers listed there. They can also contact their regular provider directly.
Sign up at mn.gov/vaccineconnector. Minnesotans can also call toll-free 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone or for translation services.
Vaccine access for people with disabilities.
While Minnesota has made significant progress in rolling out and distributing COVID-19 vaccines, there remains a vulnerable group that has not been given the prioritization that they need or deserve. The group that I am referring are people with disabilities.
People with mobility limitations may not have a choice but to come in close contact with care providers and thus increasing their chances of contracting COVID-19. People who may have limited means of communication cannot fully express their symptoms, affecting the way they get treatment. Research has shown that children who have down syndrome are at a much higher risk of respiratory and immune disorders. Forty-six percent of children with down syndrome compared to only 7% of children without were diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Children with Down Syndrome have a 12-times increased risk for mortality due to infections. Yet, the role out of the vaccines didn’t highlight or prioritize the people with disabilities. As such, there was a bi partisan letter sent to MDH requesting they engage and prioritize people with disabilities. You can help out by contacting the Minnesota Department of Health and demand they have a plan of equity for people with disabilities.
Many people with compromised immune systems are left with no choice but to work in person. Take the story of Melissa Grewe, who told her experience to the Minnesota Reformer. Ms. Grewe has been a paraeducator for 17 years and has an underlying health condition that puts her at a higher risk for adverse health consequences resulting from COVID-19. Despite this, she was “notified there was no remote work in my district. The only work for me was in-person, working closely with students, which meant potentially exposing myself to COVID-19”. The choice she was given was to either work at risk of contracting a deadly illness or suffer the loss of employment and income. She decided to stay and continue teaching in the face of a grave threat to her health and life.
While vaccine roll out and distribution of any type is a good thing, we must make further efforts to ensure that those in our community who have disabilities do not get left behind.
Human Services Reform
The Human Services Reform committee heard a bill this week that would support our state’s Personal Care Assistants (PCA) workforce by establishing a new payment rate methodology to increase wages.
This bill will establish a new fee schedule and rate methodology so that rates change with the market and cost of providing care, rather than through inconsistent and arbitrary raises. Minnesota already faces a shortage of PCA and other direct support workers. These roles are essential to supporting elderly Minnesotans and those with disabilities who require support in their daily lives. Without the help of PCAs, many may be forced into group homes or other congregate settings. Minnesotans deserve to have reliable, high-quality care for themselves and their loved ones, and PCAs deserve to make a living wage and appropriate benefits.
The Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee also heard a bill this week that would provide services for parents with disabilities. The legislation passed the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee and was referred to the State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee.
The bill would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a pilot project to assist parents with disabilities in childbearing tasks and prevent the removal of a child solely because the parent has a disability.
From 2000-2010, 35% of the 283 parents whose parental rights were terminated identified as having at least one disability.
Kathy Jo Ware testified last week passionately about her concerns regarding Waiver Reimagined, the new system our Department of Human Services has partially implemented, and wishes to implement further for those vulnerable citizens, our elderly and people with disabilities. Her testimony about the fear of losing her son due to not being able to provide for him due to a skewed budget favoring corporate foster care over living with families had tears in everyone’s eyes. Families like Kathy Jo Ware’s is one of the many reasons I fight for the truth and policy that stands with people, not against them.
This week we heard a bill regarding a home with an individual who has been failed by every system. Now they are in essentially a mini-institution alone save for staff with no real advancement done, yet fear in our community. We need to ensure that systems are built to fit people, not people forced to fit systems.