Happy Nurses Week!
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A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
We are entering the last week of what can only be described as a unique session. The impact of COVID-19 has affected so many facets of our lives. Not only has it threatened Minnesotan’s physical health, job security, and financial stability – it has also taken a toll on the mental health of our communities.
As we witness the progression of this disease in our communities, we can sometimes feel helpless with the overload of information and news coverage. Below are some volunteer opportunities, if you are looking to give back to your community during these times:
Find out how you can volunteer with the Minnesota Responds Medical Reserve Corps here.
The Salvation Army is collecting donations of 500 pieces of PPE or more. Locations can be found online, here. If you have fewer than 500 pieces of PPE, please consider donating to a local donation center or contact your county’s emergency manager for more information, which can be found here.
We continue to make progress everyday on various fronts like testing and reopening businesses. I am proud of Minnesotans for trusting in us during these difficult times. I have faith we will come out of this together and stronger than ever. Please reach out if I can help connect you with any state resources, or if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Melisa
State’s budget health takes a $4 billion swing
Minnesota officials received an interim budget projection this week from economic experts that provides a glimpse into the sustained effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on state finances. As a reminder, the February economic forecast projected about a $1.5 billion budget surplus for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 period. This week’s numbers now project a deficit of $2.426 billion for the same period. That is a nearly $4 billion change in a matter of weeks.
Most of the dip is attributable to a $3.611 billion reduction in expected revenues coming into the state. Spending also is projected to be $391 million higher as the state responds to the pandemic. The state’s budget reserve account remains at $2.359 billion, largely because lawmakers insisted on an automatic savings tool in 2014 that directed up to one-third of each budget surplus to the state’s savings account. Although lawmakers will use caution in dipping into the reserve account, it is a welcome resource that may prevent some harmful budget reductions.
The state’s budget office typically provides a budget forecast in February and November of each year, and those numbers guide the legislature’s funding decisions for the approaching fiscal years. This year, Governor Walz urged the finance agency to produce an interim projection so lawmakers could make better informed decisions. While it is helpful information, finance experts warn that the economic outlook will remain volatile for some time and prolonged budget effects are expected to continue changing.
The legislature is constitutionally mandated to adjourn by May 18. Governor Walz acknowledged that every budget decision cannot responsibly be made in the next 10 days, and that lawmakers should expect to return for special session if needed to address ongoing issues. Lawmakers must find bipartisan agreement on specific issues by Saturday, May 9, and larger bills, such as the bonding bill and tax decisions, will be negotiated in the coming days with a goal of passing larger bills before the May 18 adjournment.
The May 2020 interim budget projection, additional resources, and presentation can be found here.
Governor Walz announces updates to lifting the suspension on elective procedures
Governor Walz this week announced further guidance on raising the suspension of elective procedures. The suspension was placed to set aside and conserve medical resources such as masks and hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. In light of the immense financial impact the suspension has made on medical providers along with stories of patients not getting the time-sensitive medical treatment they need, the governor decided to, with care and caution, move forward on lifting the suspension.
In response, healthcare professionals have understandably raised their concerns about how they will go about maintaining PPE and conserving much needed medical resources for COVID-19 patients. With the death toll and rate of contagion rising, the governor does not take these concerns lightly. Though the procedures will be allowed to continue, healthcare providers are required to track PPE, ventilator usage, and record how they will implement safety procedures for staff. Minnesota is also significantly better off in terms of preparedness and resources than we were over a month ago. Our number of ICU beds and PPE rivals and surpass that of states with higher populations and recorded cases.
Many of the important elective procedures administered by doctors, veterinarians, and dentists require time-sensitive action. Postponing these procedures could result in serious consequences such as inability to prevent the progression of life-threatening diseases. The governor has expressed concern with how not allowing these procedures could affect the quality of life and long-term health concerns of Minnesotans.
The full order can be found here.
Senate passes extensive health and human services policy package
The Senate passed a package of health-related proposals this week in a bipartisan effort as session nears its close. Some of the items included in this bill are:
- Increased telemedicine services during the peacetime emergency for substance use disorder treatment and physical therapist assistants
- Allowing pharmacists to administer any future COVID-19 vaccines and to prescribe medications in certain circumstances for acute opiate overdose, nicotine replacement, or self-administered hormonal contraceptives
- Requiring health care providers to provide requested medical records to patients within 30 calendar days
- Expanding Medical Assistance coverage to be provided for those diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer by any CDC National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection-funded program in the state
- Allowing Medical Assistance to provide insurance coverage for routine patient costs that are incurred in the course of a clinical trial
- Modifications to the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to allow more residential settings access for funding replacement of lead service water lines
- Amending the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act passed last month to allow a Tribal identification card to be used as a valid form of ID
While smaller than a typical end of session health and human services policy bill, this collaborative effort includes many provisions that will help Minnesotans across the state. (SF 3560)
Minnesota secures alternate care site to address hospital capacity concerns
Governor Walz and the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) signed a lease agreement last week for an alternate care site at Presbyterian Homes-Langton Place in Roseville. This setting can be used if hospitals need to make space for critical care to provide low-level medical care or monitoring. This site will not be designed as a COVID-19 treatment facility or to provide walk-up medical care.
As cases continue to climb in Minnesota, identifying potential alternate care sites is a critical part of the statewide strategy to ensure our health care system is prepared for the surge. While capacity within hospitals will continue to be used first, hospitals will work with patients to identify those who could be safely transferred to an alternate care site to continue their treatment if more space is needed.
The State Healthcare Coordination Center and SEOC continue to assess regionally specific needs throughout the state and have identified several other sites that could be quickly converted into alternate care sites. Data on hospital capacity can be found on the COVID-19 Response and Preparation Capacity Dashboard.
Action plan announced for long-term care residents and workers
Governor Walz this week announced a comprehensive approach to protect Minnesota’s long-term care facilities during this devastating pandemic.
This plan includes:
- Expanded testing for residents and workers in long-term care facilities
- Providing testing support and troubleshooting to clear barriers faster
- Getting personal protective equipment to facilities when needed
- Ensuring adequate staffing levels for facilities
- Leveraging our partnerships with the facilities to better apply their skills and talents
Residents at long-term care facilities – which include nursing homes, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities – are at extreme risk during this pandemic due to older age, underlying medical conditions, and congregate living conditions. Shortages in testing, staffing, and PPE supply have only increased the threat these vulnerable populations face during these times.
This plan includes steps like activating the National Guard to support crisis staffing needs and developing new procedures for testing and PPE procurement. The enhanced measures outlined in Governor Walz’s plan will help protect the residents and staff at these facilities and save lives across the state. Learn more about the five-point plan here.
Omnibus transportation bill passes
A bipartisan coalition of legislators and transportation advocates compiled a list of noncontroversial transportation proposals that unanimously passed the senate this week. Notable provisions include the requirement for school buses to use their warning lights and stop arms when making school supply and meal deliveries to students. Bus drivers right now may only use these devices when school children are being transported.
A privacy provision will allow drivers involved in a collision to provide an email address or mailing address to the other driver instead of their actual residential address for safety purposes. Drivers licenses and Minnesota ID cards will now provide the option for people with mental conditions to possess a license bearing a graphic or written identifier for law enforcement.
Additional provisions accommodate drivers by waiving the requirement for a new photo and eye exam to renew their non-REAL ID license as long as their name, address, and driver’s license number have not changed. This change is intended to resolve difficulty in maintaining social distances at DVS and other licensing offices. (SF 3255)