STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION
HEALTH FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Tina Liebling, Chair of the Division, called the virtual Health Finance and Policy Committee meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. on February 9, 2021 pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting is being broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
LIEBLING, Tina, Chair
HUOT, John, Vice Chair
SCHOMACKER, Joe, Minority Lead
AKLAND, Susan
BACKER, Jeff
BAHNER, Kristin
BIERMAN, Robert
BOLDON, Liz
DEMUTH, Lisa
FREIBERG, Mike
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
KIEL, Debra
MORRISION, Kelly
MUNSON, Jeremy
PRYOR, Laurie
QUAM, Duane
REYER, Liz
SCHULTZ, Jennifer
WOLGAMOTT, Dan
A quorum was present.
Representative Pryor moved that the minutes of February 8, 2021 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation on Face Masks and Governor’s Executive Order 2081.
Dan Huff, Assistant Commissioner, Health Protection Bureau, Minnesota Department of Health gave an overview on the efficacy of masking, proper mask use and the Governor’s Executive Order.
Chris Hogan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota presented an introduction to aerosols and explained mask research testing and mask wearing effects.
Dr. Anne Griffiths, Pediatric Pulmonologist, Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Specialists, Children’s Hospital, gave a clinical perspective of COVID-19 and patient tolerance of masking.
Dr. Richard Danila, Deputy Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health, responded to member questions.
HF604 (Jordan) COVID-19; face coverings requirements modified, implementation requirements modified, penalties and injunctive relief provided, and face covering requirement expiration provided.
Chair Liebling moved that HF604 be heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the Health Finance and Policy Committee bill.
Representative Jordan presented her bill.
Chair Liebling moved the H0604A5 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED AND THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Elisabeth Klarqvist walked through the bill and the H0604A5 amendment.
Testifying in opposition:
1. Diane Smith, Forest Lake
2. Wayne Rohde, Maplewood
3. Twila Brase, President, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom
4. Tom KraMer, President and CEO, Kablooe Design
Testifying in support:
1. Dr. Beth Thielen, Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School and Infectious Diseases Physician at MHealth Fairview
2. Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz, President, Minnesota Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
3. Dr. Marilyn Peitso, President, Minnesota Medical Association
4. Mary Turner, President, Minnesota Nurses Association
4. Dr. Rajesh Prabhu, Infectious Disease Physician, Essentia Health
Representative Demuth moved the H0605A1 amendment. Rep. Demuth explained her amendment and requested a roll call vote.
The results were as follows:
AYE
SCHOMACKER, Joe
AKLAND, Susan
BACKER, Jeff
DEMUTH, Lisa
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
KIEL, Debra
MUNSON, Jeremy
QUAM, Duane
NAY
LIEBLING, Tina
HUOT, John
BAHNER, Kristin
BIERMAN, Robert
BOLDON, Liz
FREIBERG, Mike
MORRISON, Kelly
PRYOR, Laurie
REYER, Liz
SCHULTZ, Jennifer
WOLGAMOTT, Dan
On a vote of 8 AYES and 11 NAYS THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Representative Akland moved the H0604A10 amendment. Rep. Akland explained her amendment.
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, State Epidemiologist and Medical Director, Minnesota Department of Health, responded to member questions.
Representative Akland requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:
AYE
SCHOMACKER, Joe
AKLAND, Susan
BACKER, Jeff
DEMUTH, Lisa
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
KIEL, Debra
MUNSON, Jeremy
QUAM, Duane
NAY
LIEBLING, Tina
HUOT, John
BAHNER, Kristin
BIERMAN, Robert
BOLDON, Liz
FREIBERG, Mike
MORRISON, Kelly
PRYOR, Laurie
REYER, Liz
SCHULTZ, Jennifer
WOLGAMOTT, Dan
On a vote of 8 AYES and 11 NAYS THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Liebling laid over HF604, as amended, for possible inclusion in the Committee bill.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:54 P.M.
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Representative Tina Liebling, Chair
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Krysta Niedernhöfer, Committee Legislative Assistant