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Dear Neighbors,
I’m sharing a new update with information about Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. In case you missed it, I authored a column about this work that ran in Tuesday’s edition of the Austin Daily Herald. Click here to read it.
We’ve just received news that Minnesota’s health plans have agreed to waive cost-sharing for treatment of COVID-19. This move comes in response to the Governor’s Commissioners of Health and Commerce sending a letter on March 13 urging the health plans to remove barriers to coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Minnesotans with commercial insurance — including individuals, small businesses, and some large businesses — are now eligible for the following benefits:
- Minnesotans will have no cost-sharing charges for COVID testing.
- Minnesotans who are hospitalized will have no cost-sharing charges for in-network hospitalization.
- Minnesotans will have expanded access to telemedicine services. This will help people to stay home and access care if they need it.
Yesterday afternoon, Minnesota began accepting applications for emergency grants for child care providers. The Legislature appropriated $30 million for the program late last week, and it is expected to provide about $10 million per month over the next few months to support basic infrastructure needed to keep child care capacity available. Click here for information about eligibility, benefits, and the application process.
On an unrelated note, April 1 was Census Day, and all of us have a stake in the outcome of this undertaking. With new uncertainties created by COVID-19, it's now more important than ever to ensure that your family, neighbors, and our communities benefit from an accurate count. Visit www.my2020census.gov for help and answers to your questions.
Lastly, today we learned of the first case of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Mower County. Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Mower County, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is enacting an emergency quarantine to limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of the county. This will reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect. An open house for residents and tree care professionals will be announced at a later date. Click here to learn more about this announcement.
Please reach out to my office with questions and comments about the Census, Minnesota’s response to COVID-19, or any other issue. Email me at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn, call 651-296-4193, or visit www.house.mn/27B.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative
General COVID-19 Resources
Stay Home MN website
www.mn.gov/stayhomemn
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
www.health.state.mn.us
School and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
www.education.mn.gov
*Child care providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268.
Information about Unemployment Insurance benefits for workers and no-interest loans for employers: www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid
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