Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are doing as well as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an unprecedented challenging time, and we all wish there were more concrete answers available about when things will get back to normal. Governor Walz and his administration are making their decisions based on modeling performed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Last Friday, they released information to the public regarding this modeling and I encourage you to explore the presentation slides and read some frequently asked questions.

House Passes Alec Smith Act and 4th COVID-19 Response Package

Today on the House Floor I was incredibly proud to support the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act after a bipartisan consensus was finally reached. This legislation is critical for people with diabetes, named after a Minnesotan who tragically passed away after he was forced to ration his insulin due to the cost.

The final version of the bill ensures those who urgently need a supply of insulin can get one and will require pharmaceutical manufacturers – who have made enormous profits off of the drug as its price has skyrocketed – to reimburse pharmacies for these emergency supplies. The legislation also provides relief for those who need assistance on a longer-term basis by requiring drug makers to create a patient assistance program. If they don’t comply, the companies could be fined up to $3.6 million for the first year, doubling in the second year. You can read the legislation here.

Also today, the House approved another package of COVID-19 response legislation; our fourth since the pandemic emerged. The bill includes many different solutions aimed at providing needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans. The bill will help Minnesotans execute wills, allow local governments to meet remotely, suspend certain deadlines and expiration dates, expand use of telemedicine, give the Department of Health authority to set up alternative health care facilities, and more. You can read the legislation here.

Stay at Home Order, Peacetime Emergency Extended

Data from MDH and the U of M’s modeling shows our social distancing efforts are working and relative to other states, Minnesota has a low number of COVID-19 cases per capita. However, the fight against the spread isn’t over and we need to continue building capacity within our health care system, including testing, hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilators. To that end, last week Governor Walz extended the current Stay at Home order until May 4, with some modifications. Continuing to practice social distancing will help protect the health and safety of all Minnesotans. Here are some FAQs about the order.

Governor Walz has also issued an executive order extending the current peacetime emergency through May 13. Since the original order on March 13, the governor has made many difficult, but necessary decisions that have resulted in significant changes in our day-to-day lives, including distance learning, closing of gathering places, and the Stay at Home order. The coming days and weeks will continue to be uncertain, and this action will help ensure our state can continue to respond rapidly to issues related to COVID-19 as they arise.

Discrimination Helpline

We’re all struggling during this pandemic to one degree or another and while we go through this challenging time, we should make an extra effort to be kind and patient with one another. Unfortunately, there has been a disturbing increase in instances of discrimination against people of Asian descent in Minnesota and across the country. This is unacceptable.

Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights have launched a new Discrimination Helpline to help protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesotans who experience or witness discrimination can report incidents by calling 1-833-454-0148 or filling out an online form here.

Workers’ Compensation for First Responders

Our front line workers, including first responders and health care professionals, face an extremely high risk of exposure to COVID-19. If they become afflicted with the condition, their physical health will already be a concern; they shouldn’t need to worry about their financial health, too.

Last week, the House passed legislation ensuring health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty will receive workers’ compensation benefits. The bill establishes a presumption that if these workers contract COVID-19, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ comp.

The Senate also approved the legislation and Governor Walz signed it into law.

For the latest news and up-to-date information, please visit the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard. For more information about actions the Legislature has taken to address the pandemic, please visit the Minnesota House’s COVID-19 webpage. Finally, if I can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me directly at rep.rena.moran@house.mn or call me at 651-296-5158.

Please take care of yourself and your family. As resilient Minnesotans, we will get through this.

Sincerely,

Rena Moran
State Representative