RELEASE: House HHS Finance Chair Liebling encourages health care organizations to apply for emergency coronavirus funding

SAINT PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has opened the application window for health care organizations to apply for part of $50 million in emergency funding to cover immediate needs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, was chief author of the planning, preparation, and response package that lawmakers approved last week, and she encourages providers to apply quickly.

“I thank MDH officials and staff who have worked so hard to quickly develop this grant mechanism and get this money out to health care providers that need it immediately. We know the needs are significant,” Rep. Liebling said, “I hope hospitals, clinics, long-term care providers, ambulance services and other providers will apply for grants that will be critical for their operation to continue, slow the spread of this disease, or respond to the needs of sick patients.”

As part of the application materials, organizations must confirm they are an eligible provider, briefly describe the eligible uses of funds for which they are requesting funding, and provide a budget. They are also asked to prioritize their needs in case MDH isn’t fully able to fund every request.

The turnaround time is short, with an application deadline of Wednesday, March 25 at midnight and the review process to begin the following day. The application materials can be found on MDH’s COVID-19 response webpage. Applicants with questions about the grant application process are encouraged to email COVIDgrantapplication.MDH@state.mn.us.

The Legislature also appropriated $150 million for a respond fund, and grants will be delivered through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process which MDH plans to announce in the coming days.