Pioneer Press Letters to the Editor for March 5, 2017 – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

MAKE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE

I am writing in response to Real health-care reform: Weve begun in the House (Feb. 9) by Rep. Jason Lewis and the response from Angie Craig, Republican reform should not repeal protections for consumers (Feb 15). It is evident that both Lewis and Craig have correctly identified what the majority of Americans already know: The cost of health care is too high. Of course, neither of them is making any proposal to reduce the cost. Americans do not need affordable insurance; they need affordable health care.

The Affordable Care Act and the Republican proposal address the problem in much the same way by using taxpayer dollars to subsidize corporate profits for insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and pharmaceutical companies. In large part, they remain focused on protecting their campaign donor base. Minnesota has recently awarded another $300 million to insurance companies to minimize the impact of huge rate increases impacting small businesses and rural farm communities.

Attempting to reduce health care costs by restricting access through increasing deductibles and co-pays and narrowing provider networks has simply exacerbated the health care crises. This is a failed business model and taxpayers cannot continue paying the cost. Minnesota has introduced several proposals that apply directly to the issue of cost.

The Fair Care Act improves the competitiveness of the market and empowers consumers with greater control of their health care expenditures by:

Gov. Dayton also proposed a public option that would allow individuals to buy into Minnesota Care. The state already has the resources to administer such proven payer options as fee-for-service and county-based purchasing. Returning to local control eliminates the excessive profit overhead introduced by HMOs. Public management also brings rural Minnesotans closer to local providers and hospitals that might previously have been out-of-network. No one should be forced to drive a hundred miles for health care. It is for some a nearly impossible journey. It is not a public option if HMOs control the access.

Finally, there is a proposal that represents what most Americans really want: The Minnesota Health Plan, commonly referred to as single-payer, favored by the Minnesota Nurses Association, farmers and small business. Not only does this plan reduce cost by eliminating middle-man expenses; it also reduces costly medical care through public health, education, prevention and early intervention.

Similar advantages could be realized at the national level by simply allowing more Americans to buy into the existing Medicare program. I dont expect to see any meaningful solution from a Congress in Washington dominated by health care lobbyists and campaign donors. States like Minnesota are starting to recognize that reality and taking the initiative for true health care reform.

Paula Overby

The writer was a 2016 candidate for Congress in Minnesotas Second District.

Former President Obama has lied to the American people about many things over the past eight years. Benghazi, NSA spying on the American people, the Justice Department investigating conservative journalists, Fast and Furious, the Veterans Administration scandals, Obamacare, etc.

He also endorsed partial-birth abortion, transgender bathroom use, sanctuary cities, 11 million illegal immigrants to stay, gun control, same-sex marriage, overturned the dont ask, dont tell policy in the military. He didnt back up his red line in the sand. and that cost 300,000 lives.

National debt went from $10.6 trillion to $19.3 trillion under his watch. His welfare programs werent cheap, and there was no shortage of handouts.

Obamas hometown of Chicago, with its strict gun-control laws and his associate Rahm Emanuel as mayor, had 4,412 killings during Obamas eight years as president, including 762 killings in 2016. And did nothing, along with ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, the Washington Post and New York Times. It was always, hand-off Obamas presidency. He lives in his own little world of contempt and arrogance.

With that he wants us to think he left a legacy to the American people. In reality his presidential terms were a pathetic failure, and he will go down as Americas worst.

Jack Schmidt, Pequot Lakes

Family physicians are the bedrock of the Minnesota health care system. We take great pride in honoring and treating our patients in St. Paul and beyond regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances, ethnic or cultural backgrounds. We work to offer continuity of care and respect to aging parents, newborn babies and all stages of life in-between. The University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine Residency programs have trained more than 1,300 family doctors who now live and work in Minnesota. More than 80 percent of counties in Minnesota have a graduate of these programs and 70 percent of all graduates from U of M Family Medicine residencies stay in Minnesota to practice medicine. Ninety percent of graduates of the U of M North Memorial program, in particular, stay within our state borders.

Unfortunately, funding has decreased to train family physicians in Minnesota, and our program has had to cut trainee spots by 20 percent. If this trend continues, the overall health of the state may suffer and our health care system costs are likely to rise.

Two bills under consideration in the Legislature could ensure that these training programs continue. HF 889 and SF 715 would provide continued financial support to train the next generation of family doctors. Our patients in St. Paul and beyond deserve family physicians who have received high-quality, culturally sensitive training right here in Minnesota.

Together, we can ensure Minnesotas legacy of excellent primary care continues for all our residents. We encourage readers to contact their local representatives and senators to support these crucial bills.

Drs. Alex Gits, Jodi Blustin and Renee Crichlow

The writers are members of the University of Minnesota North Memorial Family Medicine Residency program.

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Pioneer Press Letters to the Editor for March 5, 2017 - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press