Minnesota is changing
To the editor:
I read with great interest the commentary by Rep. Andrew Falk in your paper on "Proposed budget cuts threaten rural hospitals." Rep. Falk had some good points on how these cuts would affect our local hospitals and local economy. But there are many other outside forces that are affecting our state budget and adding new stresses on the system.
I have been doing some research in this area and was surprised by the following facts: (Source Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2007) Percentage of people who moved to Minnesota and applied for one or more of four welfare programs within one year: Yellow medicine County- 6.6 percent, Lyon County 15.5 percent, Lincoln County 27.5 percent, Chippewa County 19.0 percent, Renville County 30.7 percent.
In the Willmar newspaper there was an article on immigrants that have moved to Willmar; a brief overview of the article states, "a husband and wife were living separately in Willmar because they thought it would be better financially for their family to live this way."
The family wants to live together but was living separately because they thought they would receive more assistance. The article goes onto say that the family gave up some financial aid to be together.
In a newspaper article in the New York Times that was published March 28, 2009, it states Hennepin County spends $3 million a year on interpreters fluent in 50 languages. No questions are asked about immigration status at the Hennepin hospitals about 20 percent of the center's patients were born in other countries, and they account for $100 million to $500 million yearly expenses for patient care.
About $5 million a year in costs that are not reimbursed, and though immigrants by no means account for all of it, they are a "major contributor," said Mike Harristhal, the hospital's vice president for public policy and strategy.
The article goes on to talk about how some groups of immigrants are taking advantage of relatively generous rules in Minnesota that were originally meant to help keep the elderly and chronically ill out of the nursing homes.
Minnesota is changing and we need to look at all the issues that are affecting that change.
Michelle Gatz
Granite Falls
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bosniavet
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05-02-09 8:40 AM
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the point I wanted to get across in the article was that Rep Falk made it sound like the only outside influences on the local hospitals were reduction in state aid and the ecomony. I beleive their are other factors that need to be taken into consideration and reviewed. As we change in Minnesota our laws need to change to address these issues. I have talked with a family service rep and was surprised to find out that very few dentists will take MN Care, so they have to drive their clients at least two hours each way to get their dental done and we pay for that. Maybe we should review this process and update the system to give vochers for care so that local providers will take MN Care. As he said most seniors will live with bad teeth, I think that is so sad that we have forced someone who has worked their whole lives to this type of treatment.
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rangeral
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05-01-09 7:44 PM
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SpringB - who's going to pay for your generous attitude? I guess I live a sheltered life - I don't know any elderly person being cared for by an illegal alien.
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springb513
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05-01-09 12:20 PM
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And with all those elderly, who is going to take care of them?? A good-sized percentage of health aides, both home and in long-term care, are immigrants. Rural MN needs these newcomers, documented or not, for many reasons, taking care of the the elderly is just one. How about we start realizing this, as many of our reps do (local, state, and national), and work together to be a welcoming, inclusive community.
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Anna1899
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05-01-09 11:11 AM
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1.Several years ago MN tried to stop people from moving to MN to collect welfare benefits. The State tried to implement a waiting period for new residents. The feds denied the plan saying people had the right to travel. 2.In the years I worked there I saw it all and there were no color lines, nationality or citizenship lines drawn. I saw as much abuse by 'home grown' folks as anyone. 3. Yes, nursing home costs far exceed the rest of the programs in dollars spent. (food stamps are not welfare-it is dept of ag program). I saw many indignent local folks want to deny children's programs while giving away the farm (literally) in order to qualify Mom or Pop for Long Term Care assistance. So those judging make sure what you wish for won't have it come back to bite you or your loved ones.
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rona45
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05-01-09 1:57 AM
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Expecting our political representatives to do anything about illegals is wishful thinking. They just ignore the subject. Add up all the food stamps, welfare, fuel assistance free hospital care, and free legal help they get and you will find it is more then you think. To compare nursing home care for our elderly who paid social security and other taxes all their lives while working to illegals who move here and get welfare for every member of their family is a stretch.
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rangeral
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04-30-09 8:01 PM
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We need action on illegal immigration - and not adding millions of illegals to official entitlement programs. Any illegal legislation needs to set limits on access to entitlements. Once again, where is Senator Amy on this issue?
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merioncooper
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04-30-09 3:36 PM
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Immigrant adjustment is a big factor. But so is the cost of nursing home care -- the biggest part of the state human services budget. Maybe we need the children of the elderly to keep their parents in their own homes until death.
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