MN SF4619

Calls on Governor Tim Walz to direct the Department of Health and other agencies to investigate potential collaboration with Cuba for COVID-19 assistance and expertise for Minnesota residents.

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

Cites Cuba's Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade's experience with epidemics including Ebola, dengue fever, HIV, and swine flu in 50 countries, and medical professionals including Dr. Michael Osterholm's support for collaboration with Cuba.

Notes precedent for Minnesota-Cuba medical collaboration including a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Province and other states' collaborations such as the Roswell Park Cancer Center partnership with Cuba's Center for Molecular Immunology.

Directs the Secretary of State to transmit enrolled copies to the President, Congress, and Minnesota's federal delegations.