I am a strong believer in freedom and the free enterprise system. In Albert Lea, I can buy a Ford, Chevy, Buick, Honda or many other brands. I have three different grocery stores, six different pharmacies and several hardware stores that I can choose and patronize. But if I need medical care, I only have one provider I can go to. Mayo Clinic, and its charges, are 20 to 30 percent higher in southeastern Minnesota than in other areas of our state. Yes, we all know that Mayo is a monopoly, and it determines the level of health care that we have and sets the exorbitant cost of the health care. Freeborn County needs to bring the decisions for health care back to the patient, the doctor and the local community. We cannot leave those decisions to a giant corporation whose only interest is in the bottom line. How can this be accomplished?

I propose that the county establish a county medical board consisting of nine members. I believe it should consist of one city council member, one county commissioner, three medical members selected by the county medical association and four community members selected by vote of all eligible voters in the county. This board should have the power to determine the level of care for the county, determine who will be the providers and for how long and what the responsibility of the owners of the facility has to the community.

There should be legislation that empowers the county medical boards to enforce their recommendations. If there is disagreement, an arbitrator could be appointed by the State Health Department.

This type of system would restore control back to the citizens of the county. Isn’t this the Democractic way when the power is back to the people? Wouldn’t this destroy the dictatorial threat of a giant corporation controlling the level of care and cost of something that affects all of the people? I think so.

Alan Arends

Albert Lea