[ST. PAUL, MN] – As the federal COVID-19 public health emergency unwinds, Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill providing resources to help eligible Minnesotans keep their Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare health insurance.

“We want everyone who qualifies to keep Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare so they can continue receiving uninterrupted health care,” said Governor Walz. “These resources will help us reach people, so Minnesotans across the state can stay covered.”

“Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare cover one in four Minnesotans, including 40% of Minnesota children,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Any gaps in coverage have the potential to make Minnesota’s existing health disparities even worse. This bill will help reach communities where they are so people can keep their insurance.”

Chapter 22, Senate File 2265 provides state funding for the transition to regular Medicaid eligibility verification procedures, which were put on hold during the federal COVID-19 public health emergency . The Minnesota Department of Human Services and county and tribal processing agencies will soon begin verifying eligibility requirements for 1.5 million people who get health coverage through the two programs. The bill also provides $36 million to help county and tribal processing agencies process the health care renewals.