Category: State Issues

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 16, 2020

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April 16, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 4/16/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz joined the governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky in announcing that they will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest.

“Here in the Midwest, we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community. We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet,” the governors said.

Governor Walz’s number one priority has been, and will remain, the health and safety of Minnesotans. As we look to reopen Minnesota’s economy, we will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 16, 2020”

What health officials have learned about COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota

As of Tuesday, medical records of 146 of 405 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Minnesota have been evaluated.

Seventy-nine people in Minnesota have been confirmed to have died from complications due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2).

It’s only been a little more than three weeks since the first death was reported by state health officials on March 21, but they are beginning to find some commonalities in fatal cases.

Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division at the Minnesota Department of Health, said Tuesday that they are in the process of doing an in-depth, Minnesota-specific evaluation of COVID-19 deaths.  Continue reading.

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 15, 2020

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April 15, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 4/15/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act to provide relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. With the price of insulin tripling over the past 10 years, Governor Walz worked with insulin advocates to call attention to this urgent issue, keep up the pressure, and get this important bill passed through the legislature. The Governor was joined digitally by insulin advocates as he signed the bill.

“Minnesotans should not die because they are forced to choose between putting food on the table and affording the drug they need to survive,” said Governor Walz. “Despite resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, the grit and determination of Minnesotans with diabetes, Minnesotans who have lost loved ones with diabetes, and their legislators moved this bill forward. It is downright inspiring. This hard-fought law will provide much-needed relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. We must continue to put Minnesotans first and ensure people don’t struggle to afford the care they need.”

Over the last 10 years, insulin manufacturers have tripled the price of insulin, and one in four diabetics report rationing the life-saving drug. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health estimated that 7.8%, or around 330,000, Minnesotan adults had been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with around 18,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 15, 2020”

Legislature approves bill to make insulin affordable

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, the Legislature approved landmark legislation that makes affordable insulin accessible in an emergency and over the long-term. The bill is called the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.

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. Continue reading “Legislature approves bill to make insulin affordable”

Tax Committee Chair Paul Marquart reminds Minnesotans about three-month income tax filing extension

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – As part of Minnesota’s COVID-19 response, Governor Tim Walz last month announced an extension for filing Minnesota Individual Income Tax returns for tax year 2019 from Wednesday, April 15, 2020 to Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Minnesotans can file and make their payments without any penalties or interest during the extension.

“Minnesotans are experiencing very uncertain times and finding it difficult to make ends meet,” said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), chair of the Tax Committee. “Giving Minnesotans some flexibility is the right thing to do during this COVID-19 crisis.”

For more information, visit the Department of Revenue’s website at www.revenue.state.mn.us.

 

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 14, 2020

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April 14, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:00 PM on 4/14/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz emphasized his support for a series of proposals moving through the legislature to help Minnesotans weather COVID-19. The proposals will ensure that Minnesotans will be able to use Medicaid and MinnesotaCare to receive care at temporary COVID-19 care sites; allow anyone who is uninsured to be eligible for medical assistance coverage; and clarify that telephone care is telemedicine, streamlining remote visits for Minnesotans.

Support for Dairy Farmers and Minnesotans

The Governor noted that his Administration is advocating for funding that will help fight hunger in Minnesota and support Minnesota’s agricultural community by purchasing milk from milk producers for hunger relief organizations. The proposal will support both Minnesota dairy farmers and Minnesotans facing food insecurity. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 14, 2020”

Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 4556 today, a package of COVID-19-related legislation.

“The legislation we passed today will provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clearly more work to do to safeguard the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans. We will continue working with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate to help Minnesotans during this public health crisis.”

“This is the fourth package of legislation we have passed in the last month to provide Minnesotans with resources and economic security during this difficult time,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are continuing to adapt to serve the public as we were elected to do.”

The legislation includes the following: Continue reading “Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package”

Minnesota House Passes Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA- Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the conference committee report on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. The legislation establishes an emergency insulin program for the Minnesotans who need it most, with insulin manufacturers financially participating in the solution. Alec’s Bill passed on a vote of 111-22.

“Minnesotans should not lose their lives because they can’t afford the insulin they need to survive,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Thanks to the advocacy of thousands of Minnesotans, and to Representative Michael Howard’s dedicated leadership, this legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk. The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act will provide emergency access, long-term affordability, require insulin manufacturers to be part of the solution, and is ready to implement right now.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Passes Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 13, 2020

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April 13, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:00 PM on 4/13/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz extended Minnesota’s peacetime emergency in Minnesota for 30 days. A peacetime emergency allows Minnesota to continue many of the public health and economic relief measures it has implemented to help Minnesotans weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

>“Minnesota’s actions have saved lives, but the threat of COVID-19 remains,” said Governor Walz. “The next stages of this pandemic are going to challenge us – an extension of Minnesota’s peacetime emergency will allow us to protect Minnesotans’ health and wellbeing and continue to respond effectively to this rapidly-evolving situation.”

Minnesota’s peacetime emergency has allowed Minnesota to take strong steps to combat COVID-19, including: Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 13, 2020”