Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 6, 2020

I was lucky to also participate in and speak at ERA Lobby Day on the Hill this week. Members and allies of the ERA Minnesota organization joined together in the rotunda this week for their annual International Women’s Day rally focusing on the Equal Rights Act (ERA), encouraging members and allies to get involved lobbying senators to support the movement and pass the ERA legislatively in the Senate to add the amendment to our state constitution. I am a co-author of both SF 3106 and SF 200  which call for a constitutional amendment for gender equality under the law.

Concerns over the spread of Covid-19 in Minnesota were addressed this week in various committees including the Finance and E-12 Education Committee. There is more information about these committee meetings and next steps in the state’s response below.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by this week, even if it was just a quick moment outside of a committee hearing. I can always find a moment to meet with you, even with a busy schedule!

Sincerely,

Melisa

Join us for a Mid-Session Town Hall! 

Senate District 49 elected officials will be gathering for a Town Hall Forum organized by Edina Community Lutheran Church and moderated by the League of Women Voters. This forum will focus on the policy topics of Affordable Housing, Climate Justice, and Race Equity. Moderated Q&A on these topics will be the bulk of the forum.

All are welcome and no RSVPs are needed. More info here

Senate continues working on Insulin

The Senate Commerce Committee heard a bill this week that would provide stability to insulin-dependent consumers through the year with the type of insulin, equipment, and supplies their insurance will cover, while also requiring insurance companies to disclose what brands they cover upon request.

The bill is in response to the growing issues with insulin coverage and costs by health insurance. Often times, a person will be prescribed an insulin that works for them, only to find out at some point later that their insurance is no longer going to cover that particular insulin, even if it is the best fit for the individual. This can cause short- and long-term health issues for individuals that have to then either figure out how to pay for the now uncovered insulin or choose to switch insulin only to find out that the new insulin isn’t as effective or isn’t effective at all.

Another version of an emergency insulin program was heard in the Health and Human Services Finance Committee this week. The bill creates an insulin safety net program with a two-tier track. Insulin-dependent consumers would be able to receive an immediate 90-day supply of insulin through their pharmacist, and manufacturers would be required to develop a patient assistance program for people who need long-term access to insulin.

The cost of insulin has tripled in the last 10 years, putting a burden on thousands of Minnesotans, while the three insulin manufacturers that control more than 90% of the U.S. market have been raking in record profits. In the 12 months from September 2018 to 2019, the three companies reported $84.1 billion in revenue and $18.5 billion in profits.

Responding to the Coronavirus in Minnesota

The Center for Disease warns of a potential pandemic as cases of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the US and around the world continue to rise rapidly. The virus originated from Wuhan, China and spread internationally causing outbreaks in Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Italy. The disease is believed to spread through close person-to-person contact with those infected and respiratory droplets produced when someone coughs or sneezes. The systems of COVID-19 resemble the flu and can range in severity from mild to severe, including a risk of fatality. Cases of the virus have been reported in more than 10 different US states, including Wisconsin and Illinois. The CDC states that the potential public health threat of COVID-19 to the United States and the world is very high.

Governor Walz and Minnesota legislators are actively monitoring the spread of the virus and working to ensure enough funding is available for when COVID-19 reaches Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health is working closely with the Center for Disease Control in tracking the situation and working with health care providers for recommendations and testing. Minnesota now is capable of testing for the virus locally with new kits able to detect up to 800 cases of COVID-19.

The Senate and House are working together to appropriate additional funds to prepare in case the virus spreads. Governor Walz expects the federal government’s assistance in preventative measures and emergency funding for impacted states. State legislators and the Department of Health are in close contact with schools, healthcare, and retirement facilities to ensure safety measures are in place.

The Senate Finance Committee met this week to hear legislation to appropriate $5 million to the Public Health Contingency Account for COVID-19 preparations. The contingency fund currently only has a $4.6 million balance.  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) expressed concerns if this virus becomes widespread, there could be a system overload. Hospitals say funding is needed to: increase available beds, provide isolation rooms, and increase ventilator capacity if necessary. They also need to provide resources for care workers to ensure they are safe when working with patients. Hospitals may need to increase staffing, cover extended hours, and account for staff absences while ensuring safe patient triage using phone banks and medicine to keep patients home, not in doctor’s offices. Finally, they need funding for training for health care staff specific to COVID-19.

The bill was laid over for further consideration and possible amendments. After the hearing, MDH sent out an updated budget estimate for the COVID19/public health contingency account. Their updated ask is $20.9 million to pay for staffing, lab costs, local public health, health care coalitions, and personal protective equipment.

There are simple measures that everyone can take to help protect themselves and others around them. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm reminds Minnesotans that the best way to prevent the spread is by washing your hands thoroughly, avoiding touching your face, and covering your cough.  COVID-19 is likely to spread to Minnesota; let’s keep our communities safe by doing what we can to stay healthy and up to date about the virus. Click Here to learn more about the virus and get updated on the current situation. (SF 3813)

Disaster assistance bill passes the Senate

The Senate passed a bill this week that appropriates $30 million to the disaster assistance contingency account. The state’s disaster assistance contingency account was created in 2014, in order to dispense disaster assistance funds to cities without waiting for a special session.

The account has been used 40 times, and the Legislature has appropriated $82 million for the account. Sixteen of the last 40 requests have come in the last two years. The fund has been used more often recently as natural disasters are happening more frequently and becoming more severe.

The account provides the funds for gubernatorially-declared disasters as well as the required 25% share of state funding when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declares a federal emergency. The Legislature last session funded the disaster assistance contingency account with enough dollars to account for the state’s share of FEMA’s spring 2019 flooding assessments, as well as additional state-declared emergencies. However, in January of 2020, Minnesota was informed that FEMA severely underestimated the cost of recovery and nearly doubled their assessment.

The House is expected to take up the bill on the floor once the Senate passes it. It will then go to Governor Walz who has already committed to signing the bill. (SF 3564)

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