HF 3206

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/11/2023 10:53am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to establish a program to
monitor and assess the impact of long COVID; making appropriations for
community health workers, pandemic delayed preventative care, and long COVID;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.361] LONG COVID.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "long COVID" means health
problems that people experience four or more weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2,
the virus that causes COVID-19. Long COVID is also called post-COVID conditions,
long-haul COVID, chronic COVID, post-acute COVID, or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
(PASC).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall establish a program to conduct
community assessments and epidemiologic investigations to monitor and address impacts
of long COVID. The purposes of these activities are to:
new text end

new text begin (1) monitor trends in: incidence, prevalence, mortality, and health outcomes; care
management and costs; changes in disability status, employment, and quality of life; and
service needs of individuals with long COVID and to detect potential public health problems,
predict risks, and assist in investigating long COVID health inequities;
new text end

new text begin (2) more accurately target information and resources for communities and patients and
their families;
new text end

new text begin (3) inform health professionals and citizens about risks, early detection, and treatment
of long COVID known to be elevated in their communities; and
new text end

new text begin (4) promote evidence-based practices around long COVID prevention and management
and to address public concerns and questions about long COVID.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Partnerships. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall, in consultation with health
care professionals, the Department of Human Services, local public health agencies, health
insurers, employers, schools, long COVID survivors, and community organizations serving
people at high risk of long COVID, identify priority actions and activities to address the
needs for communication, services, resources, tools, strategies, and policies to support long
COVID survivors and their families.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grants and contracts. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall coordinate and
collaborate with community and organizational partners to implement evidence-informed
priority actions through community-based grants and contracts. The commissioner of health
shall award contracts and grants to organizations that serve communities disproportionately
impacted by COVID-19 and long COVID, including but not limited to rural and low-income
areas, Black and African Americans, African immigrants, American Indians, Asian
American-Pacific Islanders, Latino(a), LGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. Organizations
may also address intersectionality within the groups. The commissioner shall award grants
and contracts to eligible organizations to plan, construct, and disseminate resources and
information to support survivors of long COVID, including caregivers, health care providers,
ancillary health care workers, workplaces, schools, communities, and local and Tribal public
health agencies.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $971,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $971,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to expand and
strengthen the community health workforce across Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes,
section 144.1462, as added by 2023 S. F. No. 2995, if enacted.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin COVID-19 PANDEMIC DELAYED PREVENTIVE CARE;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are from the general
fund to support community-based organizations and health care to increase access to
preventive and chronic disease management services for communities disproportionately
impacted by COVID-19. Of the total appropriation each year, $6,100,000 is for grants and
$1,400,000 is for administration. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin LONG COVID; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $3,146,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,146,000 in fiscal year 2025 are from the general
fund to address long COVID and post-COVID conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section
145.361, as added by 2023 S. F. No. 2995, if enacted. Of the total appropriation each year,
$900,000 is for grants and $2,246,000 is for administration.
new text end