MN HF4690

Directs Governor Tim Walz to have the Department of Health and other agencies investigate potential collaboration with Cuba to combat COVID-19 and obtain medical assistance and expertise for Minnesota residents.

Calls on Congress and the President of the United States to lift restrictions on access to Cuban medical expertise, including importation of Interferon Alpha-2B Recombinant, a drug used as standard COVID-19 treatment protocol in Cuba and China.

Notes that Cuba's Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade has assisted 50 countries with epidemic response and that more than 80 countries have shown interest in acquiring Cuba's Interferon Alpha-2B Recombinant.

Cites precedent for medical collaboration between Minnesota institutions and Cuba, including a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Province of Santa Clara and the Minnesota Association of Public Health.

Directs the Secretary of State to transmit enrolled copies of this memorial to the President, Congress members, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives, and calls on other states to pass similar resolutions.