(ST. PAUL, MN) –  Following the announcement by the Walz administration of new testing partnership with the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Health, Senate Republican Leadership released the following statements: 

“In a time of crisis, the private and public sectors have worked together for incredible results,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R- East Gull Lake). “I want to thank the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic for their work to increase testing capabilities and access. We have to know who is sick and who is recovered in order to safely reopen the state, and testing is one of the best ways to make sure we’re staying safe.

Testing is important not just to the physical health of our citizens, it’s vitally important to the health of the economy. I’m confident this partnership will bring us closer to reopening small and local businesses that so desperately want to get back to work,” Gazelka concluded. 

“The partnership announced today is fantastic news for all Minnesotans. These respected institutions have stepped up in so many ways to make this happen and we appreciate their contributions during the pandemic,”said Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “Establishing widespread, rapid testing procedures can help us control the surge and further flatten the curve.

I also hope this partnership provides a model for the state to expand testing so we can reopen our health care system to the vital care unrelated to COVID, and also reopen our small and local businesses to a new, safer normal,” Benson said.

The testing is funded in part by the recently established COVID fund. Requests totaling more than $1 million require approval by Senate and House leaders. Senators Gazelka, Finance Chair Julie Rosen (R- Vernon Center) and Senate President Jeremy Miller (R- Winona) all approved the testing expenditure request of $36 million. 

Yesterday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic officials discuss testing at a committee hearing. You can watch the hearing here.