DAILY UPDATE FROM ST. PAUL
April 14, 2020
Dear Friends, I hope you are healthy and at home.
The MN Legislature was in session today. Practicing safe social distancing while managing the debate and voting is getting easier! Today, we were able to passadditional COVID-19 relief provisions, as well as insulin affordability legislation. Details are in the links below.
Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-35 extending the peacetime emergency in Minnesota for 30 days. This extension of the peacetime emergency is effective through May 13, 2020.
My virtual office is open to you and I am happy to visit on the phone. You can leave a voicemail (651.296.1253) or send me an email.
Additional COVID-19 provisions passed MN Legislature
This bill appropriates money, modifies deadlines, requirements for in-person appearances, state programs, and other statutory requirements in response to an outbreak of the infectious disease COVID-19 in Minnesota, and also makes human services forecast adjustments and makes technical and implementation corrections related to human services.
Senator Chamberlain celebrates passage of bipartisan insulin affordability bill
(St. Paul) – The Minnesota Legislature today unanimously passed legislation that would provide insulin to those in need and implement measures to help people before they reach a crisis point.
The bill requires insulin manufacturers to provide a 30-day supply of insulin for free to individuals in urgent need but struggling to afford the life-saving drug. Additionally, patient assistance programs through drug companies, which have been questioned as too onerous and cumbersome with limited qualifications, must be made accessible and transparent with their application and approval process. The new law creates standard criteria for these assistance programs and stipulates an application must be approved or denied within ten days.
“This is great news for every diabetic who needs insulin,” said Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes). “All of our efforts last year allowed the market to take care of much of the problem, and as a result far more people can afford their insulin now than last year. That’s fantastic. Our plan helps everyone else who might have been left behind and has protections that will help them avoid ever reaching a desperate point.”
In 2019, Senate Republicans instituted reforms to address the cost and emergency needs of insulin and other life-saving drugs. Pharmacies are already required to provide a 30-day supply of insulin and other life-saving drugs if a prescription runs out. Legislation in 2019 also prevents health plans from charging patients more than the wholesale cost of insulin to prevent profiteering off the drug and requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers to regularly communicate discounts and rebates with the pharmacy for the patient to use first.
The Senate is leading the fight to reduce the costs of health care and prescription drugs with innovation. In 2017, Minnesotans had limited options, fewer providers, and double-digit cost increases in the health insurance market. The Minnesota reinsurance plan stabilized the costs, opened more options, especially for rural communities, and has become a model program for other states. In 2020, the Senate began exploring reimportation programs that would allow Minnesotans access to lower-cost drugs available in other nations. The federal government for the first time ever announced an openness to approving reimportation plans in individual states last December.
Advanced Placement tests move online
With Advanced Placement tests being disrupted by COVID-19 closures, tests have been moved online so high school students can still take the test and receive college credit for their work. AP tests are an important savings measure for students going to college and are very important to many students and parents.
I have been asked to share this information with constituents to make sure students, parents, and school districts are aware of the online option so they don’t miss the opportunity to earn valuable college credit for the work they’ve completed.
Metro – I-35 North Metro split from Lino Lakes to Forest Lake: 2017-2019 construction
Lane closures on I-35 between Lino Lakes and Columbus began March 30.
Now that spring is finally here, crews are ready to complete final construction activities for the I-35 North Metro Split project between Lino Lakes and Columbus.
Beginning Mon, March 30, you’ll begin to see lane closures throughout the project work area, from approximately one mile south of the I-35W/I-35E split to Hwy 8.
In order to get the remaining work done, some periodic off-peak lane closures will be needed:
I-35 between the I-35W/I-35E split and Hwy 8
NB I-35: lane closures from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SB I-35: lane closures from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I-35W/I-35E between the split and one mile south on I-35W/I-35E
NB I-35W/I-35E: lane closures from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SB I-35W/I-35E: lane closures from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Some work will need to occur at night. Crews will try to minimize night work and noise, but please expect to hear overnight activity periodically.
Drivers can expect these lane closures to continue through June while we complete installation of guardrail, overhead signage, median work, fence installation, permanent striping and restoration. Crews will also be working on final curb and gutter, median and sidewalk installation at the Hwy 97 diverging diamond interchange.
Following guidance from state health officials and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, MnDOT crews will maintain social distancing practices while working.
More about this project
To learn more, including all current traffic impacts, visit the project website at:mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35northmetrosplit.
Best practices for social distancing in the workplace
As Minnesota considers how best to practice social distancing in the workplace, we’d like to hear from you. Click here if you wish to submit your ideas.
COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCES
MN COVID-19 website
MN Dept. of Revenue- Individuals
MN Dept. of Revenue – Business
MN Dept. of Emp./Econ. Dev (DEED)