To the editor:

Brad Finstad, along with 217 Republican Representatives voted in support of the budget resolution that cuts billions of dollars from social welfare programs. If this budget passes in the Senate and is signed by the president, it will lead to massive cuts in Medicaid. Medicaid provides health care to nursing home residents, disabled citizens, the working poor, and low-income families. Without the health care coverage provided by Medicaid, people requiring 24-hour nursing care will go without care, placing a burden on them and their family.  Young children will not receive the preventative health care needed to help them succeed in school. Low-income workers will not seek medical care until they are severely ill, leading to worse outcomes and greater expense. Individuals with chronic illness will have difficulty receiving medications and medical care needed to survive and thrive.

In addition to the human suffering caused by being uninsured, medical services will also be harmed. Payment to Nursing Homes for care provided to disabled individuals who no longer have assets will end. Nursing Homes cannot provide care without payment. Very few of the vulnerable individuals living in care facilities can be discharged to independent living. Many rural nursing homes are already financially strapped. Loss of payment from Medicaid would lead to bankruptcy and closure of facilities.

Hospitals will also suffer if more people are uninsured. Hospitals are required by law to evaluate and treat a person who presents with an “acute medical condition”. This law requires hospitals to evaluate and treat acute injury, illness and women in labor.  Hospitals have always provided care to those that cannot pay, but there are financial consequences. Many Rural hospitals are financially tenuous. Increasing the amount of free care provided would lead to closure of some hospitals.

If you are concerned about the budget resolution that proposes drastic cuts in Medicaid, please call Representative Brad Finstad to voice your concerns. He can be reached at 202-225-2472 or 507-577-6151. You can reach him by email through his website: finstad.house.gov

Joan Krikava, MD

New Ulm