Senate Republicans passed $200 million to fund the state healthcare system’s needs for hospitals, eldercare facilities, EMS, clinics, and pharmacies responding to COVID-19 cases. Representatives from key areas weighed in and national recommendations were considered during the process. The bill passed with unanimous support from the Senate and the House.

After an initial funding approval of $21 million last week, the new legislation provides $50 million to nursing homes, long-term care centers, paramedics, and other health care facilities and teams.

“We are now more thankful than ever to have such an excellent healthcare system in Minnesota,” said Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing). “With this funding, our nurses, doctors, and everyone devoted to helping us through this unprecedented time will have access to the tools they need to protect themselves and care for others. We owe them our thanks for their continued dedication!”

The bill also develops an oversight board to advise the Minnesota Department of Health of statewide needs, and no one without insurance will be charged for COVID-19 screening, testing, or treatment in facilities that use the funds.

The Senate’s plan is to assist key individuals who may contract COVID-19 as they care for people with the disease. The funds can be used to purchase personal protection supplies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, renovate rooms into specialty care, or purchase life-saving equipment. The dollars give facilities flexibility to be used for supplies or equipment, and there are accountability measures so they are only used for COVID-19 related costs.

For more information on Coronavirus:

Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/

Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/