Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to ensure Minnesota's preparedness for unexpected public health funding cuts by establishing a financial reserve, the Essential Public Health Functions Contingency Account. This account will support critical health functions if federal funds are reduced or eliminated.

Main Provisions

• Creation of the Contingency Account: A special revenue fund is established in the state treasury. It is designed to finance essential public health activities when disruptions in federal funding occur.
• Essential Public Health Functions Defined: These functions include activities to prevent or control health threats, such as disease investigations, public alerts, and management of disease outbreaks, including waterborne disease prevention and response.
• Funding and Expenditures: The account will be used to continue critical public health services if federal funding is unexpectedly cut. The Commissioner of Health may allocate these funds under specific conditions following criteria described in the bill.

Significant Changes

• Funding Response to Federal Cuts: The bill outlines a procedure where the Commissioner of Health can use the contingency account only if there is a confirmed and significant reduction or elimination of federal funding for essential public health functions.
• Annual Reporting Requirement: Each year, if funds from the account are used, the Commissioner must report detailed expenditures and funding cuts information to the legislative committees overseeing health and human services.
• One-Time Transfer: The bill mandates a one-time transfer of funds from the state's general fund to the contingency account to ensure its initial capitalization.

Relevant Terms

• Public health funding
• Essential public health functions
• Federal funding reduction
• Health contingency account
• Legislative reporting