SAINT PAUL – 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.
The committee also considered a bill authored by Rep. Michael Howard (DFL – Richfield) to continue providing safe housing during the pandemic for vulnerable Minnesotans who would otherwise be forced to use crowded shelters or who lack the ability to isolate when they contract COVID-19. The bill would also maintain temporarily increased rates for residential housing support for people with disabilities.
“Keeping our most vulnerable Minnesotans safe keeps our entire community safe,” said Rep. Howard. “With the virus still surging, we cannot let up in our collective efforts to ensure Minnesotans have a safe roof over their heads.”
The hearing was informational, and no votes were taken. Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel, and documents from the meeting are available on the division’s webpage.