SAINT PAUL – The House Health and Human Services Finance Division Monday discussed two key pieces of legislation to address how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts vulnerable Minnesotans. The first, HF 168 authored by Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth), delivers a 15 percent temporary rate increase for personal care assistance (PCA) services during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes other program modifications.
“Minnesotans with disabilities and the elderly are among those most impacted by our current pandemic, and they deserve to receive quality care and services,” said Rep. Schultz. “PCAs provide critical, but challenging services, and with low wages and benefits, it’s extremely difficult to recruit and retain qualified, dedicated individuals to these positions. By boosting wages in our emergency situation, we can help ensure all Minnesotans can be safe, healthy, and live with dignity.”
In addition to the 15 percent rate increase, PCAs can now be paid for 310 hours of services per month, up from 275. The bill allows parents or legal guardians of a minor PCA recipient or a spouse of a PCA recipient to earn wages for providing PCA services during the peacetime emergency.
A nonpartisan summary of the bill can be found here. The bill next moves to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The panel also held an informational hearing on proposed legislation by Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL – Eagan) to provide a one-time, $500 supplemental payment for individuals enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Diversionary Work Program (DWP). MFIP helps families with children meet their basic needs while helping parents move to financial stability through work.
“All Minnesotans deserve economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Halverson. “Those who are least likely to have it are being hit hardest by this public health crisis. Providing one-time payments of $500 will help thousands of Minnesotans and their families make ends meet and continue moving towards financial stability.”
A summary of the proposal is available here.
Video of the hearing will be available on Minnesota House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel, and supporting documents for the hearing are available on the House HHS Finance Division’s webpage.