Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Recently the Trump administration proposed a one-third cut to Medicaid. This would be disastrous for everyone in southern Minnesota.

• Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income people

• 1.2 million people in Minnesota depend on Medicaid

• 4 out of 10 kids in Minnesota depend on Medicaid

• More than half of all residents in nursing homes receive Medicaid

• Medicaid spending comprises about half of the Minnesota state budget

• 23% of Mower County and somewhere between 20-22% of Freeborn County residents depend on Medicaid

• Nearly half of births in Minnesota are paid for by Medicaid

How would a one-third cut to Medicaid affect families and seniors in southern Minnesota?

Many kids would not get their vaccinations or go to the doctor or the dentist. Pregnant women would not be able to get prenatal care.

Nursing homes would be under a greater financial strain. They would be forced to downsize or close altogether.

Mental health and chemical treatment facilities would close. My daughter, a chemical dependency counselor, told me that if Medicaid were cut by one-third, the facility where she works would need to close their doors. Hospitals, facing the same cuts, would likely close as well.

Minnesota lawmakers would be forced to cut funding on education, infrastructure and other needed functions to meet health care needs. Or raise state and local taxes.

Congressman Finstad needs to hear from us. Tell him we expect him to fight to retain his congressional power to decide budgets and to stop any cuts to the health care services we need here in the 1st District: Medicaid and Medicare.

Call him and remind him that he represents us. His office phone number is 507-577-6141.

Mary Hinnenkamp
Albert Lea