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Dear Friends,
This afternoon, Governor Tim Walz held a news conference to give Minnesotans an update on the COVID-19 outbreak in our state. Here’s a recap:
- The governor has not announced a shelter in place order, but that option remains on the table and will be guided by data.
- Grocery store workers are now eligible for childcare at schools.
- Minnesota is activating the medical reserve corps to bring retired medical personnel to help out in hospitals and care centers.
- Minnesota, like the federal government, hopes to push back income tax filings and payments to July 15th.
- The governor has requested a waiver that would allow the state to bill the federal government for any state national guard activity.
- Starting March 23rd, 38 YMCAs across the state will open doors to K-6 kids to help with childcare and education needs.
- The state received 95,352 unemployment insurance applicants this week. The previous weekly record was 18,000. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply using the website at www.uimn.org.
- The unemployment insurance reserve has $1.5 billion, which is enough for at least 12 weeks. The federal government is a backstop with zero interest loans if Minnesota depletes the reserve.
- There have been 15 cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in Minnesota.
- The unemployment insurance call center will be open on Sunday and another call center with 50 employees is being added to help manage the influx of calls.
MNsure Special Enrollment Period
MNsure is opening a 30-day special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. It begins Monday, March 23, and runs through April 21, allowing uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure.org. Individuals who enroll after April 1 but before 11:59 p.m. on April 21 will have a retroactive coverage start date of April 1. Those who have lost or will lose health insurance through their employer may also be eligible for a special enrollment period through MNsure. The MNsure Contact Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873.
Update on Emergency Funding
Earlier today, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided additional info and links to the application for emergency funds appropriated by the legislature.
The legislature has approved $200 million split into two funding streams:
- The $50 million in the Emergency Fund will be available on an emergency basis to provide cash flow relief to healthcare organizations to cover their highest priority needs over the next two to eight weeks.
- The $150 million in a Response Fund will be granted through a request for proposal process for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to COVID–19. These funds may also be used for administering the grants and for testing or facilities to provide treatment, isolation or quarantine.
While both funds are available for the same purpose, the emergency funds are expected to provide cash flow relief to organizations that need to cover their highest priority needs over the next two to eight weeks, which will allow more time to assess the ongoing needs of the healthcare system.
Eligible applicants are the same for either funding streams.
- Licensed ambulance services
- Healthcare clinics
- Pharmacies
- Healthcare facilities and long–term care facilities, including:
- Hospitals
- Nursing facilities
- Settings at which assisted living services or healthcare services are or may be provided
- Health systems
Both funding streams may be spent for the following purposes:
Expanded or modified operations:
- The establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals
- Temporary conversion of space for another purpose that will revert to its original use
- Development and implementation of screening and testing procedures
- Additional emergency transportation of patients
- Development and temporary information technology and systems costs to support patient triage, screening, and telemedicine activities
Staff:
- staff overtime and hiring additional staff
- staff training and orientation
- expenses related to the isolation or quarantine of staff
Supplies:
- purchasing consumable, protective, or treatment supplies and equipment to protect or treat staff, visitors, and patients
- purchasing replacement parts or filters for medical equipment that are necessary for the equipment's operation
- specialty cleaning supplies for facilities and equipment
Other:
- patient outreach activities
- other expenses that cannot reasonably be expected to generate income for the recipient of the funds after the outbreak ends
FAQs can be found here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/funding/grants/crffaq.html
Application and other information can be found here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/funding/grants/covidgrant.html
Stay in Touch
As always, please let me know if I can answer any questions. I can be reached at 651-296-4231 or rep.peggy.scott@house.mn.
Sincerely,
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