Good morning and happy Friday. At noon on the MPR News I will be talking with Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL- Mendota Heights, and Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, about paid family and medical leave proposals. I hope you can listen in.
A report released Thursday says the state’s response to unrest following George Floyd’s killing was slow and uncoordinated. The report by Wilder Research found some positive aspects in the response, including the effectiveness of state personnel in protecting the public and infrastructure, and the use of curfews to help restore order. And the report says the state's command center at TCF Bank Stadium, known as the "MACC," was effective once in operation. But the report's authors say it was set up too late, and that “earlier initiation of a coordinated multi-agency response might have led to better outcomes.” They write that the state should have stepped in sooner, whether or not the city of Minneapolis had requested help. And they also find fault with coordination — specifically with the Minneapolis Police Department. "MPD had an emergency operations center set up at their emergency operations training facility in Northeast Minneapolis and largely remained there," the report authors state. "While they had a couple of representatives present at the MACC, the Minneapolis police chief was notably absent. This led to several challenges, including the initial use of competing law enforcement strategies (e.g., MPD used crowd dispersal tactics while State Patrol simultaneously used contain and arrest tactics)." Read more.
MPR’s Brian Bakst reportsMinnesota lawmakers passed legislation Thursday to extend a program that helps head off rate shocks for people in the individual health insurance market amid grumbling from some that it only papers over problems in obtaining affordable coverage. The $700 million agreement adds three more years – with an extra two authorized but not funded – to what’s called a reinsurance program. That’s when the state absorbs a portion of the most expensive claims to keep health plans from dramatically raising premiums to cover costs. Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, said the duration of the deal was important for Republicans. “It helps provide stability, which is incredibly important for Minnesotans who rely on that individual market for their health insurance needs. And it also ensures access for those Minnesotans,” Miller said. “So having a three-year plan with funding, I think is a really, really good outcome for the people of Minnesota.” Without it, some of the 167,000 people who buy through the private market could face significant, double-digit premium spikes when they shop for 2023 plans in the fall. But some key DFLers said they weren’t on board with the plan. House Health Finance and Policy Committee Chair Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, said the reinsurance program first enacted by a 2017 law has gone on too long to the benefit of insurers. “Many of my Democratic colleagues in the House consider reinsurance to basically be a bridge to nowhere,” she said. “And we keep extending the bridge and it’s still a bridge to nowhere.” She supports a plan for a public insurance buy-in option for people who can now only shop for private plans on the individual market. Most people get health coverage through an employer or public program now.
The Minnesota Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday that provides financial relief to farmers who were hit hard by last summer’s drought, reports MPR’s Tim Pugmire. The $10 million bill includes $7 million for grants of up to $5,000 for livestock and specialty crop farmers. There’s also money to reimburse the Rural Finance Authority for drought relief loans that have already been processed. “The sooner we can get this through, the sooner we can get relief, a shot in the arm to our farmers that are having to scrape every week to figure out a way to get feed and forage for their livestock because of the shortage of supply last summer,” said Sen. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, who is the chair of the Senate agriculture committee and the bill’s chief sponsor. The bill also includes money for avian influenza testing and other emerging animal diseases. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota would receive $1 million.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday sponsored by Minnesota 2nd District Rep. Angie Craig that would limit the cost of insulin under private health insurance and Medicare. NPR reports the vote was 232-193, with 12 Republican members joining their Democratic colleagues to pass the measure. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would cap insulin prices at either $35 a month or 25 percent of an insurance plan's negotiated price — whichever is lower. The legislation aims to take effect in 2023 but its fate in the Senate remains unclear. "This is a kitchen table issue, "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said to reporters ahead of the bill's passage on Thursday. "One in four Americans is forced to skip or ration doses of insulin and that's life-threatening," she said, noting the legislation "paves the way" for further action on negotiating lower drug prices beyond insulin. Critics of the bill argue the cap alone doesn't do enough to solve the underlying problem of rising prescription drug prices. "We want lower prices for drugs, particularly for insulin," said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga, during debate. "But instead of fixing a broken system, this bill aims to control it," he added, calling the bill a "socialist plan." Craig, a Democrat, took credit for the bill. “No American should have to choose between paying for lifesaving insulin and other basic necessities like food & rent,” Craig said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud that, today, the House is taking action to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month – ensuring that insulin is affordable and accessible for millions of Americans.”
Will unions break with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber because he voted against the $1 trillion infrastructure bill? MinnPost reports that while several union leaders are frustrated with Stauber’s vote on the infrastructure bill, they also credit him with support for mining projects or pro-union stances and votes. “The record on Congressman Stauber is very clear,” said Jason George, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49. “This union isn’t in any way walking away.” Adam Duininck, government affairs director for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, said Stauber has been strong on prevailing wage issues, project-labor agreements and support for industry that creates jobs. Duininck echoed George, saying Stauber had even advocated for other Republicans to join him on some labor issues. | 