Friends and Neighbors, 

I am glad to say that after pressure from the hurting people of Minnesota and the legislature, Governor Walz amended his previous postponement of non-essential or elective procedures. Executive Order 20-51 was issued and will “require facilities to prioritize surgeries and procedures and provide safe environment during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency.”

I, along with many other GOP Legislators, sent a letter to Governor Walz last week asking him to take action for all suffering with various diagnoses who have been unable to access treatment over the last several weeks. I am so thankful that he is finally taking action to protect all who need access to care, not just those with COVID-19. I hope this will be a comfort to those enduring chronic pain or those worrying over an untreated diagnosis. My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced unnecessary suffering during this time. 

In our letter to the Governor, we said: 

“Minnesotans contact us each day wondering why they cannot get a mastectomy to treat their breast cancer or have needed surgery to address severe, chronic pain. Some of these critical treatments are deemed non-essential by your order. But to those who need the care, they are as every bit essential as the care needed by COVID-19 patients.

“Meanwhile, hospitals across the state are being forced to lay-off or cut the pay of the very nurses and doctors this order was meant to protect. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans working in health care have filed for unemployment, and that number continues to rise. These workers point out that the furloughs will worsen the health of Minnesotans as we will fail to catch or treat preventable conditions.”

I am very thankful that our united approach has resulted in this update from the Governor. Especially now that we have the PPE and capacity for a potential COVID-19 surge, we will keep working to make sure that that people will again have access to the care they need. 

If you would like to read more of the Executive Order, click here.

Thank you to all of you who have contacted me with your ideas and your concerns. Please continue to reach out to my office at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn or 651-296-5655.