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Legislature taking new action today to respond to COVID-19, provide access to affordable insulin

Tuesday, April 14, 2020





























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Dear Neighbors,



I’m pleased to report that the Legislature is taking new action today to provide a social safety net for Minnesotans.



The Minnesota House has approved a bill that makes insulin affordable in an emergency and over the long-term, as well as a fourth COVID response package to provide workers, businesses, and families with flexibility, resources, and economic security during this unprecedented public health crisis. In addition, it helps our farmers and agriculture community by extending the Farmer-Lender Mediation deadline and expanding grants that connect producers with food shelves and food banks. The Minnesota Senate also approved the same bills today and Governor Walz will sign them into law as early as this evening. 



Continue reading for more information, and please be in touch if I can help get answers to your questions or connect you with resources. You can call my office at 651-296-4193 or send an email to rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mnThe best place to quickly find accurate and up-to-date information and get help is www.mn.gov/covid19.   



Thank you for all you are doing to save lives and care for each other during these extremely challenging times. 



 



Sincerely,



Jeanne Poppe

State Representative 



 



Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act: What you need to know



Alec Smith passed away in 2017 at the age of 26 when he aged off of his parents’ health insurance and was forced to ration his insulin that he could no longer afford, due to its incredibly high cost. Alec’s story is unfortunately not unique, as at least two more Minnesotans have died from insulin rationing since last year’s legislative session. These tragic stories have put a spotlight on the skyrocketing cost of insulin, which has tripled in the last ten years. Studies indicate that 1 in 4 diabetics have resorted to rationing their medication due to the lack of access to affordable insulin.



The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act will ensure that Minnesota’s diabetics, who cannot afford their insulin and are facing an emergency need, can access a 30-day supply at their pharmacy for a co-pay of $35. Eligible Minnesotans include those who are uninsured, under-insured, receiving Medicare, and who do not have access to low co-pays. The legislation also streamlines the process by which Minnesotans can access affordable insulin in the long-term. Insulin manufacturers would participate in the program and could be fined up to $3.6 million a year, doubling in the second year, for non-compliance.



Alec’s Bill is the product of more than a year of work with patients, health care providers and other stakeholders. It has the backing of organizations representing patients, doctors, nurses and pharmacists, including the AARP, Minnesota Nurses Association, Minnesota Medical Association and Minnesota Pharmacists Association. The legislation can be found here. A video recording of the vote can be found here.



 



New COVID response package: How it affects farmers and agriculture in Minnesota



Our newest COVID response bill temporarily extends the period before which a creditor can enforce a debt or terminate a contract for deed subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act from 90 days to 150 days (an additional two months). The extension becomes effective the day following enactment and applies to any mediation request filed before July 31, 2020. The bill also makes a new $1.25 million appropriation for Second Harvest Heartland to purchase and distribute milk and protein products such as pork, poultry, beef, dry legumes, cheese, and eggs. 



This bill is a win-win-win for farmers, food shelves, and Minnesotans who are facing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Family farmers facing mediation will also receive vital financial flexibility that will provide a level of peace of mind as we navigate the economic uncertainty caused by this unprecedented public health crisis.



Extending the farmer-lender mediation deadline buys time for farmers who are unable to participate in face-to-face mediations due to public health guidelines. Many rural Minnesota residents don’t have reliable internet options, and alternatives like Zoom or Webex are not available or practical for many farmers, which makes mediation during this public health crisis nearly impossible.



Currently, a bank or other creditor must offer mediation to an eligible farmer before enforcing a debt of $15,000 or more against agricultural property such as land, livestock, or crops. Specifically, the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act applies to foreclosures, repossessions, cancellations of a contract for deed, court orders or judgments, and debt subject to the Uniform Commercial Code. Creditors begin the mediation process by sending Extension’s Farmer-Lender Mediation office a notice of debts over $15,000. The Farmer-Lender Mediation office then sends debtors information, including a Request for Mandatory Mediation Form. Debtors (farmers) must return that form within 14 days if they want to enter the mediation process.



The bill approved today also increases the state’s appropriation to Second Harvest Heartland by $1.25 million (one-time). This appropriation is achieved by increasing the FY20 Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) budget by $1.25 million for MDA’s grant to Second Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota’s six Feeding America food banks. These funds are to purchase and distribute milk and to purchase and distribute protein products such as pork, poultry, beef, dry legumes, cheese, and eggs.



The original 2019 Ag & Food finance budget passed into law focused on Second Harvest’s purchases of milk for food banks, but protein products are now added in the bill, and must be surplus products sourced from Minnesota processors and producers based on low-cost bids, when practicable. Second Harvest may use up to two percent of their grant for administrative expenses, and they are directed to distribute these food items to Minnesota food shelves and other charitable organizations that are eligible to receive food from food banks.



The bill increases the FY20 appropriation for Second Harvest Heartland grants from $1.7 million to $2.95 million. The FY21 appropriation for Second Harvest grants remains $1.7 million.








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