April 16th, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
As our state and nation continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its effects on our lives and our economy, I want to make sure that you are able to connect with me if you need assistance or have questions or comments on what is happening within state government. I also wanted to update you on the work that the legislature did this week.
Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed H.F. 3100, the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, following an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, and Governor Walz signed it yesterday. H.F. 3100 represents more than a year of work with families, advocates, legislators, pharmaceutical companies, and many others. I’m proud to have been a co-author of the bill – named for a Richfield constituent who sadly lost his life due to insulin rationing.
H.F. 3100 does a number of things to help prevent insulin rationing. It ensures that Minnesotans who are running low on insulin, uninsured, and unable to afford out-of-pocket costs of $75 or more, will be able to get a 30-day supply for no more than $35. It also requires insulin manufacturers to provide patient assistance programs for qualifying families. H.F. 3100 is not a perfect bill, and there is still much work to be done on insulin affordability generally, but it will save lives and make a big difference for Minnesotans. And by ensuring that manufacturers are part of the solution, it recognizes, and begins to hold them accountable for, the affordability crisis they were central in creating.
Latest COVID-19 Efforts
The legislature also passed S.F. 4462, the fourth bill to specifically respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation continues to develop, Minnesotans are finding more ways that our lives have been impacted, and I’m pleased that the legislature is stepping up to address these concerns. These are just a few things covered in the bill:
Wills – S.F. 4462 allows for a “harmless error” exception in executing wills. Because of the difficulty in getting witnesses, many are using nonconventional witness options. This change will ensure that wills witnessed this way will still be legal.
Driver’s Licenses – S.F. 4462 extends the expiration date of commercial driver’s licenses for 30 days, and non-commercial driver’s licenses for 60 days during the peacetime emergency.
Medical Assistance Coverage – S.F. 4462 aligns state law with the federal CARES Act, and ensures that the state’s Medical Assistance program covers the costs of testing and diagnosis of COVID-19.
Marriage Licenses – S.F. 4462 allows counties to waive the requirement that at least one person in a couple apply for a marriage license in-person during peacetime emergencies. This allows applications to be filed by mail, fax, or electronic filing.
These are challenging times, but I am honored to represent communities like Richfield and Bloomington that continue to show the kind of strength and determination that are needed to come together. I’d encourage you to continue checking the Governor’s COVID Resources Page. My contact information is also below, and I hope you’ll reach out if you need anything.
Regards,
Melissa