SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance Division considered proposals to continue protecting people living and working in long-term care facilities, as well as those experiencing homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding under the federal CARES Act is set to expire at the end of the year, and these items are among those to be considered during a special legislative session which Governor Walz has called for Monday.
“COVID-19 continues to impact vulnerable Minnesotans, and as 2020 winds down there’s an added sense of urgency to protect people,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the division chair. “Some of the most vulnerable Minnesotans are counting on these continued investments. If the federal government doesn’t act, the Legislature must be prepared to deliver funding for these key supports.”
The committee discussed proposed legislation authored by Rep. Liebling to fund COVID-19-related priorities supporting Minnesotans in long-term care facilities, including measures to continue COVID-19 testing, a nurse triage line, staff support to monitor COVID-19 transmission, and infection control strike teams. The bill also includes $2 million for a temporary staffing pool that may be deployed to long-term care facilities and other group residential settings experiencing a COVID-19 related staffing crisis.
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