Unaffordable Health Care a Concern in Northwest and West Central Minnesota

August 18, 2008| Posted in Health Care

As part of a statewide effort to speak to Minnesotans about health care in their communities, I spent the week of August 18 touring northwest and west central Minnesota, talking to people about health care and discussing my recent report on Solutions for Rural Minnesota Health Care. I was joined by legislative candidates Mark Altenburg, Greg Stumbo and Meg Bye.

The lack of affordable health care continued to top the list of concerns at every stop.  In Fergus Falls, a woman us about her daughter who is in her mid-50s with diabetes.  Recently divorced, she has repeatedly been denied coverage.  The options available to her are expensive and include high deductibles that she cannot afford.  As a result, she goes without needed care and her condition has worsened.

That is an all-too-common story across Minnesota.  It is the reason we need to take seriously the enactment of an affordability standard that limits individual and family health care costs.

Thanks to all who participated.

Read about this event in The WDAY Moorhead and in The Crookston Times.