The head of state Health Department is calling on lawmakers to create a public health emergency fund to help combat disease outbreaks.
Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger says “significant threats to public health are becoming more frequent and costly.” In recent months, state and local public health officials have responded to several infectious disease outbreaks including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, hundreds of new cases of syphilis, and the largest measles outbreak the state has faced in nearly 30 years. Ehlinger is requesting the legislature create a public health response contingency fund of $5 million to ensure money is available for immediate, life-saving actions to protect Minnesotans. He says Governor Mark Dayton supports the proposal.