An Important Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
During this trying time with COVID-19 being an immediate health concern, I wanted to let you know that I am still here. While not holding regular meetings at my office due to the virus, my staff and I are still reachable by phone and email to answer any questions that you may have. I also wanted to update you on happenings at the Capitol.
At the Legislature we have passed emergency legislation to help navigate us through this challenge before us all.
Specifically, the legislation provides $200 million in investments of which $150 million is appropriated to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to make grants to eligible providers for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID-19; fund the establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals, to respond to an outbreak of COVID-19; and administer the grant program.
As a condition of accepting a grant, an eligible provider that screens, tests, or treats a patient for COVID-19 must agree not to bill uninsured patients for the cost of the screening, testing, or treatment. For out-of-network patients, providers must accept the median network rate as payment in full and not bill the patient any amount in excess of the cost-sharing that would apply if they were in network.The remaining $50 million is dedicated as a onetime transfer to the public health response contingency account from the General Fund for purposes related to COVID-19.
I also sponsored legislation with Senator Abeler, SF4200, to give the Department of Health and Human Services emergency authority that would allow them flexibility in providing supports to our most vulnerable populations. While that legislation did not pass earlier this week, we have been advocating fiercely for it and hope that soon we will come together to pass it so that those in most need can receive vital services no matter what happens.
Finally, for those who have had their employment affected by this situation, please use the link following this for guidance on how to apply for unemployment benefits. The Governor did a recent executive order to qualify those who have had their work and pay affected. Use the link below for what qualifies you and how to apply:
Here are two links to follow updates from the Governor’s Office with their Executive Orders and the Department of Health:
Thank you and Stay Safe!
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 normally. However, due to the health issues regarding the coronavirus I’d like to inform you of a few changes made at the legislature for the moment.
Currently we are not gathering in the office save for legislative work to protect Minnesota Citizens. I will update you as the situations progresses and changes, but as said above you can still reach out anytime by email and phone.
So stay safe, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154.
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman