Emergency Commission Shorts Nursing Homes, Leaves Out Emergency Sick Leave That Would Slow Pandemic

BISMARCK, ND — The Legislative Budget Section voted today to allocate the last of the $1.25 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The $221 million had been returned from agencies after previous allocations. The budget section gets only an up or down vote, but Sen. Tim Mathern moved for $16 million in oil company subsidies to be voted on separately. The virus is getting worse every day in North Dakota. According to news reports, the oil industry already has reached it’s full workforce, which was the original reason for using CARES Act money to cap abandoned wells.

Those federal funds intended for public health and economic relief could have been spent on support for nursing homes and long term care facilities for staff and infrastructure to ensure in-person visitation in time for the holidays. Nursing homes and long term care facilities have seen more than half of all infections in the state. Emergency Sick Leave is also a proven method to slow down the virus while protecting workers, families, and businesses. The Emergency Commission has declined to consider it. 

Sen. Tim Mathern said:

“The worldwide price of gas and oil determines the activity in the industry and there are other ways to spend that $16 million that are directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. The consequence of the pandemic will become much more dramatic as we go through this winter. Our first responsibility is to protect the lives and health of our citizens, and if we continue to have deaths and infections at the present rate, the entire economy across the North Dakota landscape is also going to struggle.” 

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee:

“There is no other industry or business in the state right now that we’re providing direct payments for production purposes. The support we’ve been providing to small businesses and businesses through the state in every industry have been to help them to convert their facilities, help with staffing, with sanitation, PPE, to help the public have trust in our economy to mitigate the spread of our virus. To divert funds away from addressing the public health needs of citizens while this virus is peaking every day is irresponsible. Our nursing homes and long term care facilities also need more help while they face the worst of the pandemic. As we come to the holidays, we should use some of the funds to support workers at these facilities so they can find ways to enable in-person visitation, so we can all see our loved ones safely.”
 

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Access to Affordable Healthcare Endangered During Crisis After SC Confirmation and NDGOP Inaction

BISMARCK, ND — Last night, North Dakota’s senators moved the nation toward their goal of eliminating the Affordable Care Act with the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Oral arguments over an anti-ACA lawsuit supported by NDGOP leaders, including Governor Burgum, are set for November 10. This lawsuit puts the ACA on the chopping block, along with its coverage for preexisting conditions and tens of millions of dollars in federal support for North Dakota’s hospitals, especially those in rural areas.

The lawsuit is supported by the North Dakota Republicans who have made no plan to prepare for the fall-out even as North Dakota is currently facing a hospital capacity crisis related to COVID-19. North Dakota Republicans even killed an attempt by Dem-NPL legislators to protect coverage of preexisting conditions in 2019. Prior to the ACA, only 22% of North Dakota Critical Access Hospitals had positive operating margins. By 2019, 50% had positive operating margins.

If the ACA is eliminated, North Dakota would lose:

  • Protections for coverage of preexisting conditions for tens of thousands of North Dakotans.
  • Roughly $10-20 million from a drug discount program for rural hospitals.
  • About $25 million per year in subsidies for rural hospitals as Medicaid Expansion is also eliminated.
  • Coverage for between 20,000-22,000 North Dakotans through Medicaid expansion.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Senators Cramer and Hoeven put the healthcare of every North Dakotan in jeopardy by voting for a nominee that could wipe away the Affordable Care Act. That decision will cost North Dakota federal funds that are sustaining our rural hospitals, as we face a dangerous public health crisis that is straining our healthcare system and threatening our state budget. Their vote puts at risk the hundreds of North Dakotans per day now testing positive for COVID-19, as the virus and its after-effects become preexisting conditions. North Dakota Republican legislators and Gov. Burgum have made no plan for the fallout of this callous and rushed decision that could mean life or death as the pandemic ravages our state. This is irresponsible governing at its worst.”

 

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Republicans Surrender to Covid-19 as Virus Rages in North Dakota 

BISMARCK, ND — On Sunday, President Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said “we are not going to control the pandemic” as North Dakota’s COVID-19 death toll continues rising and the state’s hospitals are pushed to capacity. Meadows’ CNN interview signaled defeat by the virus much of the world has slowed or at least partly contained. The U.S. Senate has also refused to move forward with an updated public health and economic relief package. The House passed two bills that have not received a vote in the Senate.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Gov. Burgum spent much of his last press conference asking other North Dakotans to lead, a strong signal he’s not equipped for the job and doesn’t even want it anymore. Now, we’re seeing the White House surrender while their own staff faces an outbreak. Our senators haven’t even tried to reach a compromise across the aisle, so workers and small businesses can know their futures are secure and their families are safe. The true test of leadership is how you handle a crisis, and the North Dakota Republicans are showing they aren’t up to the task.”  

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Emergency Commission Makes $16 Million Gift to Oil, $0 for Sick Leave to Slow Pandemic

BISMARCK, ND — Today, the six-member Emergency Commission voted to allocate $221 million in returned CARES Act money meant to help North Dakotans through the COVID-19 pandemic and with the economic recovery. The allocation included a $16 million handout to oil companies, but $0 for an Emergency Sick Leave Fund that would help North Dakota workers stay home when they’re sick or quarantine without risking their financial security. 

Paid Sick Leave is proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Rep. Karla Rose Hanson and Sen. Erin Oban proposed an Emergency Sick Leave Fund, a data-driven solution to slow the spread of the virus and protect our economy. The all-Republican Emergency Commission refused to consider it, even though sick leave is proven to benefit workers, businesses, and public health.

Sen. Tim Mathern (Fargo) said: 

“This money is supposed to help North Dakotans recover from the pandemic and support working families, not serve as another handout to an industry that is already at full workforce. This is more of the same insider spending that gave us the world-leading COVID-19 outbreak. It’s a misuse of taxpayer dollars in the middle of a crisis.”

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (Fargo) said: 

“Public health and a healthy economy go hand in hand. We proposed the Emergency Sick Leave Fund because paid leave is proven to slow the spread of disease, so we can have healthy workers, confident consumers, and a strong economy. We are seeing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota, and families have burned through their employer or federal sick leave benefits. When people have no choice but to go to work when they’re sick or have been exposed, we risk further outbreaks and business closures.”

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Burgum Must Withdraw Support for Supreme Court Nominee or Admit Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias

BISMARCK, ND — With the final U.S. Senate vote expected soon on the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, Gov. Burgum has not yet answered for the inconsistency in his support for her hurried confirmation and his supposed denunciation of the NDGOP anti-LGBTQ+ platform earlier this year. 

Barrett has signed on to a letter with the Ethics and Public Policy Center saying that marriage is between only one man and one woman. A recent news story in the Associated Press reported she was a trustee for a private school with anti-gay policies, indicating a bias against the individual liberties of LGBTQ+ citizens who deserve the same rights as everyone else.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Gov. Burgum only spoke out against the NDGOP’s hateful rhetoric and platform after public pressure from breaking news. Then he turned around and backed the rushed confirmation of a nominee whose record shows she would likely support the same policies he denounced. This kind of inconsistency on the basic issue of civil liberty disqualifies him for the job he now holds. Gov. Burgum must denounce his support for this hasty confirmation, and show his constituents he means what he said earlier this year or admit he doesn’t support them.” 

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Emergency Commission Plans Gift to Oil Industry While Pandemic Response Lags

BISMARCK, ND — The Emergency Commission is scheduled to meet Friday morning to begin allocating $221 million in returned CARES Act money intended as public health and economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated by the lagging response by Republican leaders. The current CARES Act proposal by Gov. Burgum’s administration would allocate another $16 million to oil companies, which, according to news reports, already have their workforce at full strength. 

Burgum’s purported reasoning for spending $66 million in federal relief funds to cap abandoned oil wells was maintaining their workforce. Meanwhile, North Dakota’s hospital beds are at capacity, and the state is telling those who test positive for the virus to perform their own contact tracing. The North Dakota National Guard is being used to inform those who test positive because of a backlog.

Sen. Tim Mathern, Fargo, said: 

“Oil companies are already back to a full workforce, so giving them $16 million is just a handout and an incredible misuse of tax dollars that could help small businesses or independent contractors struggling to stay open or working families barely able to afford rent. The Emergency Commission’s plan is more of the same response that gave us the highest number of per capita COVID-19 cases in the world and has pushed our healthcare resources past their limit. If they’re using the National Guard to notify people they have COVID, it’s worse than we’re being told. More of the same isn’t getting it done, and it’s not serving the North Dakotans who need the most help.” 

Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, Fargo, said: 

“Our healthcare system is overburdened and as COVID-19 cases continue rising, we can expect it to get even worse. Now individuals who contract a debilitating disease are being told to do their own contact tracing. We have a chance to use this money to save lives, and that means investing in data-driven programs like an emergency sick leave fund that will keep workers employed and enable them to make safe and smart decisions to quarantine without financial risk to their families or their employers. We need to support public health because these essential workers deserve far more support than they’re getting as they work day in and day out to serve the public through this crisis. What we’ve been doing isn’t working.”

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Legacy Fund Poll Shows NDGOP Voted Against Vision Shared by North Dakotans, Dem-NPL Caucus Resumes Call for North Dakotans First Investment Plan

BISMARCK, ND — A recent survey conducted by WPA Intelligence backs up major reform proposals introduced by the Dem-NPL joint caucuses during the 2019 legislative session and in interim committees, in particular a revolving loan fund for community needs (SB 2276) as well as a Legacy Fund plan to Invest in North Dakotans First. The WPA Intelligence survey said 79% of North Dakotans want the Legacy Fund invested inside the state.

Republicans have had almost 10 years since the foundation of the Legacy Fund to make a plan to invest in North Dakota, but they’ve done little more than use interest to backfill the budget as an afterthought. The result is that the legislature has to respond to a second likely budget shortfall since 2016.

SB 2276 (2019)

  • Introduced by Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman in 2019, SB 2276 would have dedicated 5% of the investments made on behalf of the Legacy Fund to the Bank of North Dakota for a revolving loan fund – or $200 million over the biennium – for community needs ranging from child care services to natural gas infrastructure.
  • It would have shored up communities now having to raise taxes, invested in local economies, and created property tax relief.
  • The bill gained immediate traction with the private sector and passed the Senate.
  • NDGOP House Republicans killed it.

A Legacy Fund That Invests in North Dakotans First

  • The plan would return 20% of Legacy Fund earnings into the principle for investment while creating targeted spending on priorities that put North Dakotans First and help build an economy that works for all.
  • House MInority Leader Josh Boschee and Heckaman introduced it in the interim Legacy Fund committee early this year before the pandemic.
  • Proposed funds
    • Workforce Development and Lifelong Education Fund
    • Research and Innovation Fund
    • Regional Economic Development Infrastructure Fund
    • Student Lunch Support Fund
    • Highway Tax Distribution Fund
    • Human Services & Health Stabilization Fund
    • ND Arts & Culture Endowment Fund

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said: 

“If SB 2276 had passed, we would already be investing Legacy Fund earnings directly into North Dakota to help plug gaps in our economy by supporting child care centers, nursing homes, and bringing natural gas to communities that need it to grow. These investments would have helped ease the burden on working families and communities, especially in rural areas, hit by the economic downtown and lagging state funding. Let’s invest in North Dakotans first, so we can build a legacy that works for all of our state.”

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said:

“North Dakotans are sending a strong message they’re unhappy with the way NDGOP has used Legacy Fund earnings to backfill the state budget rather than invest in North Dakota, leaving us reeling in another bust. We’ve been listening to North Dakotans, which is why we introduced a Legacy Fund plan that invests in our people, towns, and counties first. It would help working families stay employed, boosts natural business growth, and encourages a diversified economy that works for all North Dakotans while investing in the talent and resources that make us great.” 

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Paid Sick Leave Proven to Slow COVID-19, Emergency Commission Must Add Emergency Leave Fund

BISMARCK, ND —  A recent study by the journal Health Affairs showed that Emergency Sick Leave has helped limit the spread of COVID-19, a virus that is taking lives and harming livelihoods as North Dakota cases continue rising. The federal emergency paid leave program is set to expire Dec. 31 and has several gaps that limit access to it. With the Emergency Commission scheduled this week to reallocate unspent CARES Act dollars, Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (Fargo) and Sen. Erin Oban (Bismarck) renewed their call for an emergency paid leave fund that would support North Dakotans who need to stay home when they are sick or to quarantine without fear of losing their income. Paid leave is proven to help slow the spread of the virus while targeting economic assistance to those who most need it.

North Dakota is consistently at the top of daily per capita positive COVID-19 cases, deaths attributed to the virus are rising, and hospital emergency care and ICU beds are growing dangerously crowded. Against Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, Gov. Burgum recently loosened quarantine guidelines for quarantining when both contacts wore a mask, calling his new policy “an incentive.” Paid Leave would be a realistic incentive for workers to not only get tested and comply with all safety guidelines but for employers to support both their employees and public health.

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson said:

“When people go to work sick, outbreaks occur, which is why paid leave plays such an important role in this pandemic. It makes it feasible for working families, those struggling the most in the COVID-19 economy, to follow public health guidelines that keep our communities safe and businesses open. It prevents North Dakotans from having to choose between paying their rent and potentially spreading a virus that has taken the lives of far too many North Dakotans already. Public health and the economy go hand in hand, and an Emergency Paid Leave Fund is a data-backed solution that unites the two.”

Sen. Erin Oban said: 

“North Dakota is in the middle of a joint public health and economic crisis, and it’s clear that what we’ve been doing to date isn’t working. It’s time to reinvent how we respond to these crises and better target the use of these one-time federal resources. An Emergency Paid Leave Fund would fill existing gaps to support working people who make smart, selfless decisions to stay home when they test positive or are instructed to quarantine. It will save lives and livelihoods while supporting businesses, working families, and the economy. It’s time to stop blindly throwing money at the problem and strategically use tools like a paid leave fund that are proven to work.” 

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Revolving Door on Burgum’s Cabinet Spins Again Amid Crisis

BISMARCK, ND — The announcement that North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Scott Davis was put on administrative leave begs questions about what exactly is happening in Gov. Doug Burgum’s cabinet amid the COVID-19 crisis. The Davis report follows a pattern of departures this year that includes three chief public health officers resigning during the pandemic as well as exits by the leaders of the Department of Commerce and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

A leadership vacuum in public health and economic departments is especially alarming during the twin public health and economic crises of COVID-19. The vacant Indian Affairs position is worrisome as the pandemic has affected Native Americans disproportionately. With close quarters, correctional facilities, like nursing homes, have also faced frequent outbreaks nationally. NDDOCR recently reported an uptick in cases.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said: 

“It is certainly important to investigate any allegations of misconduct by any public official. But, with yet another cabinet member stepping away from their post, North Dakotans and public workers deserve to know what’s going on with their state leadership team. Every time the cabinet door spins around, it becomes clearer and clearer that Gov. Burgum’s leadership approach and unwillingness to take any decisive action is not working. His so-called “light touch of government” is hurting both lives and livelihoods. We need to elect leaders like Dr. Shelley Lenz, who will govern with transparency and collaboration, so we can get out of this pandemic and move on to an economic recovery that works for all North Dakotans.”
 

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Nomination Threatens Preexisting Conditions, Rural Hospitals During Pandemic

BISMARCK, ND —  The Senate Judiciary Committee heard opening statements today regarding President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. Barrett has criticized the reasoning upholding the Affordable Care Act. If nominated, she would hear a case seeking to eliminate the ACA. Oral arguments are currently set for November 10.

The lawsuit is supported by the North Dakota Republicans who have made no plan to prepare for the fall-out, which would include tens of thousands of North Dakotans losing coverage for preexisting conditions during the pandemic. Those who have contracted COVID-19 will now be considered to have a preexisting condition. Eliminating the ACA would also mean North Dakota loses funding for Medicaid expansion, which has been crucial in keeping rural hospitals open. North Dakota is facing a hospital capacity crisis right now in part because of COVID-19.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said: 

“Confirming this nominee puts access to affordable healthcare at serious risk in North Dakota. While the NDGOP has fought against the ACA, they’ve made no effort whatsoever to prepare for the repercussions, even as a pandemic ravages our state. Judge Barrett’s confirmation would be a dangerous setback for North Dakotans with preexisting conditions who could lose coverage entirely while the COVID-19 virus leaves untold lingering effects on new North Dakotans every day. Rural hospitals, which rely on the ACA for funding, would be doomed, meaning life or death for North Dakotans who already have long drives for emergency care as the state faces a serious capacity crisis.”

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Dem-NPL Candidates Call for Investments in Behavioral Healthcare Amid Pandemic

BISMARCK, ND — Today, a group of Dem-NPL legislative candidates called for strong investments in behavioral health services and a holistic approach to treatment and recovery that includes Prevention and Early Intervention, Real Time Services, and Supporting Recovery in every part of North Dakota. An investment in behavioral health improves the quality of life of North Dakotans, and also grows the workforce and the economy. The virtual press conference recording can be found on the Dem-NPL Facebook page. 

A study from Kaiser Family Foundation showed that in 2019, more than one in ten adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Now, it’s more than one in three. Further, 13% of adults have reported a new or increased substance use as a way to manage COVID-19-related stress while 11% reported thoughts of suicide. In recent years, North Dakota’s suicide rate has risen faster than almost any other state in the nation.

District 24 Sen. Larry Robinson, discussed how investing in behavioral health would benefit the public and private sector workforces, and the need for support in rural areas. Robinson said: 

“When it knocks at your door, it’s a rude awakening, and you quickly find yourself searching for help, and advice, and direction, and support,” Robinson said. “The revolving door aspect of treatment, addiction, and so on has not worked, and we know that, and we’ve learned from that over the last number of years. This is not going to be an easy lift. We know that, but I think there’s increasing awareness across the state, private and public partnerships, private and public sectors, that this is an issue that must be addressed. The greater cost would be in not making those investments.”

Tracey Wilkie, a District 16 House candidate, who has worked for 25 years on the front lines of behavioral healthcare, said:

“As someone who has worked directly with people going through serious challenges my whole life, I can tell you behavioral health needs a holistic approach and that Prevention and Early Intervention is key to saving lives and livelihoods. These resources include supporting early screening, referral services, expanding local behavioral workforces, and strengthening economic support for families, all even more important as risks rise during the pandemic.” 

Jackie Hoffarth, a District 18 House candidate, and a licensed social worker, discussed the need for real-time services, culturally responsive care, and diversifying the behavioral health workforce. Hoffarth said:

“We need to base funding off what people need and change the way we think about behavioral health, which means person-centered care that helps people set and meet goals they can accomplish today. It’s helping people meet their basic needs, treating them with dignity and trust over the choice in their own lives, and reducing stigma often associated within systems whose approach is often punitive rather than empowering. This is the path to a healthier North Dakota, not only at the individual level, but economically as healthy North Dakotans become productive employees who stay in the workforce and become part of our innovative fabric.”

Will Thompson, District 22 House candidate, discussed his personal experience with behavioral health, the need to eliminate stigma, and what that means in terms of setting priorities. Thompson said:

“I believe that mental health issues and substance abuse are going to be some of the greatest challenges my generation is going to face. So we don’t have time to wait. The legislature instituted an addiction treatment voucher that enabled people who couldn’t afford treatment to get care in their communities, rather than one of the few state facilities. It was a start, but the money ran out this year and right before the most critical time of the year – when the winter makes us feel trapped and the holidays bring challenging times for many people. The program froze during a crisis. We can’t let that happen again.”

 

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Former Commerce Head Calls Failed Audit “Netflix-Grade Content,” Blasts State Auditor

BISMARCK, ND — In a meeting with the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Thursday, former Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer blasted auditor Josh Gallion for abusing his office and wasting “likely hundreds of thousands of dollars” in order to “make a stage for himself.” Kommer spoke at about 11:58 on the recording.

After the process, “he refused to meet with me,” Kommer said, adding that Gallion did not attend the exit meeting, a standard for professional conduct in auditing. Kommer said North Dakota statutes were “mocked” throughout the process. The auditor has a “character problem” and his work product is a “disappointment to the profession,” she said. The attack on her department stressed her staff and resulted in one member who is a combat veteran, having a relapse of post-traumatic stress disorder, she said. The auditor’s office should be one that “creates value instead of terror,” she said.

Patrick Hart, Dem-NPL candidate for auditor, said

“The auditor’s job is to ensure proper processes and procedures are followed to prevent, waste, fraud, and abuse of our tax dollars. My opponent abused his power to go around the law, avoided performing his duty, and sought to manipulate state law in some kind of political game to make headlines for himself. He hurt state employees and wasted tax dollars. The auditor should create value and engage with public employees, so our tax dollars are spent wisely. That is exactly why I am running.”

About Patrick Hart

Patrick Hart grew up on a farm in Pembina, North Dakota, where he learned his work ethic and commitment to integrity. He is a former auditor for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Public Service Commission. He is also a small business owner, serving as managing partner in a successful contracting business in Bismarck.

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