Volume 6, Issue 5 March 13, 2020
Weekly Review Video
A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
The Capitol remains busy as we received a lot of updates this week on the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our state and across the world. The situation remains fluid, but we are working together as a legislature to pass proper funding and provide up-to-date information to the community as soon as we know it from the Minnesota Department of Health. There is more information about the State of Minnesota’s response below.
Governor Walz and leaders presented at a press conference today with additional information about the situation in Minnesota.
I have decided for the health and well-being of my colleagues, our staff, and members of the community who are at risk to cancel in-person meetings, as the decision was already made to limit access to the Capitol complex buildings. All meetings can be done over the phone in your original time slot, or you can email any resources you would like to share to my legislative assistant, Kendall, at kendall.smaby@senate.mn. The legislature at this time continues to meet as there is still work to be done. We did pass legislation on the floor this week including legislation that creates an emergency insulin program and requires manufacturers to make or maintain patient assistance programs, a COVID-19 response bill, and a $50 million Rural Finance Authority (RFA) Bonding bill to give farmers the financial support they need in the form of low-interest loans. All of these bills are bipartisan and passed unanimously.
The March 16th Town Hall at the Edina Community Lutheran Church has been canceled in the interest of health and safety. We will keep you updated if the event is rescheduled for a future date.
In these uncertain times, we remain here to answer your questions and concerns to the best of our ability. Please call or email our office, as we are here to help.
Sincerely,
Melisa
Governor signs coronavirus response bill
This week, Governor Walz signed into law a bill appropriating nearly $21 million in funds to be added to Minnesota’s public health response contingency account. The funds will help support disease investigation, provide information to the public, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis. The legislation was passed urgently and with unanimous bipartisan support.
In addition to signing the funding bill into law this week, the governor has also activated the joint emergency operations center to work on the issue as it develops. Executive branch agencies are also prepared to move forward with further contingency plans, including hiring additional health care professionals and determining what that process would look like. The message surrounding coronavirus this week continues to be planning, not panicking. The state has expected cases of the illness to increase and that is why this legislation passed swiftly and with bipartisan support. Minnesota is committed to being as prepared as possible for dealing with this disease in a proactive and responsible manner.
In the best interest of senators, staff, and the public, beginning Monday, March 16, there will be limited access to senate office suites and staff areas to the public by appointment only. Appointments will be limited to no more than two guests in a senate office at a time. Larger groups may still be accommodated in certain public conference rooms or in general areas of the building.
Conversations are on-going about managing committee agendas and meeting. These decisions are being made based on information and advice that was received from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Leaders in the House announced a second package of COVID-19 preparedness legislation this week to address a range of interconnected concerns. Their bills give the governor emergency powers to address the problem, sets up a revolving loan account to provide no or low-interest loans to providers clinics, facilities, and health systems. Other bills in the package include unemployment insurance and sick leave benefits expansion, compensation for hourly school workers for days canceled due to COVID-19, legislation to make sure health plans cover testing, treatment, and quarantine without cost-sharing, and a ban on price gouging goods and services in time of an emergency.
State health officials are readying for a new phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in Minnesota, where five people have tested positive for the illness. The case serves as a reminder of the core preventative measures being recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health right now: stay home if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. With these preventative measures practiced individually and a fully funded public health response contingency account at the state level, Minnesota is prepared to handle the coronavirus effectively and efficiently. (SF 3813)
Insulin affordability passes Senate
The cost of insulin has tripled in the last 10 years, and three insulin manufacturers control over 90% of the insulin market in the United States. In the last 12 months, those three companies have reported $84.1 billion in revenue and $18.5 billion in profits. The Senate passed legislation this week that creates an emergency insulin program and requires manufacturers to make or maintain patient assistance programs for ongoing support.
The bill was amended to make some small, but significant, changes to the bill. The name of the bill was changed to the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. This is to recognize Alec Smith, a Minnesotan who died in 2017 at the age of 26 when he could not afford his insulin. Alec’s story has sparked a dialogue in Minnesota, putting a spotlight on the skyrocketing cost of insulin. Studies indicate that one in four of those with diabetes have resorted to rationing their insulin due to the lack of access to affordable insulin.
Another amendment that was added increases the fine manufactures would pay for non-participation. The bill brought forth this week had a fine of $100,000 a year for not participating in the program. The fine was increased to $100,000 a month and after six months the fine would increase to $200,000 a month.
The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act was passed on an unanimous vote. The bill will now go to a conference committee with the House. (SF 3164)
Governor Walz releases supplemental budget recommendations
Governor Tim Walz released his supplemental budget recommendations this week, urging budgetary caution amid the COVID-19 outbreak. His recommendations were focused on fiscal restraint and prioritizing emergency and pressing needs.
Specifically, the governor recommends paying back the $491 million we borrowed last session from our budget reserves and leaving $1.2 billion on the bottom line. He also recommends funding investments to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies, including Minnesota’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information about Governor Walz’s budget recommendations here
Other areas he recommends focusing supplemental budget dollars on
- Investing in Minnesota’s mental health crisis
- Keeping our communities, neighborhoods, police officers, and correctional facilities safe
- Addressing the backlog in the sexual assault examination kits in Minnesota
- Funding to improve transit and farm safety
- Ensuring Minnesota is REAL ID ready by October 1, 2020
- Combating youth vaping epidemic
- Providing emergency shelters for the homeless and veterans
- Addressing the child care shortage
The governor’s supplemental budget recommendation makes needed investments while preserving our state’s fiscal stability in a time of great uncertainty.
Tweet of the Week
Prevent the Spread of COVID-19:
Wash your hands
Stay home when sick
Cover your cough
Find more resources in multiple languages here
Questions about COVID-19?
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3902
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Events: Informational Webinar: Implementing Remote Work Practices during COVID-19
Join this free webinar on March 18th at 10:00 CST to learn more about to protect our community by telecommuting. Hear from Move Minneapolis on the remote work resources available to companies and speak with a national telework expert, Wendy Duren, who will offer great tips and answer your most challenging questions. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.