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Defending Medicaid, HCBS for disability community

Letters

To the editor: I am deeply concerned about potential cuts to the Medicaid program that could significantly impact Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for people with disabilities(PWD). Medicaid is more than a health insurance program; it is a lifeline for millions of Minnesotans with disabilities who need ongoing care. HCBS provides personal care assistance, home health aides, therapeutic and other supports essential services to ensure people with disabilities can live with dignity in their own homes and communities. These services promote independent living and prevent ...

Wondering about God’s plan

Columns

I wrote this in November 2023. On advice of attorney, I didn’t submit it then. Both drivers were beat up, but we recovered. All the equipment was totaled. We finished combining corn the last week of October. Then it was a rush to do tillage because you never know when winter is coming. It was going well, with a few monkey wrenches at the end. When I finished ripping the last cornfield Nov. 10, I was feeling good about the world. It was around noon that I was coming home on Highway 14 like I’ve done a thousand times before. I was thinking that Pam and I should celebrate. ...

Defend our common rights

Letters

To the editor: I taught English for 43 years. I don’t like all poetry, but I love some poems. “The Hangman” by Maurice Ogden is one. Into our town the Hangman came Smelling of gold and blood and flame- And he paced our bricks with a diffident air And built his frame on the courthouse square. “Due process” is an important part of our democracy. It means that everybody gets a chance to present his/her side of the story. The individual won’t just disappear, never to be seen or heard again. And innocent though we were, with dread We passed those eyes of buckshot ...

What is a good plan?

Columns

A simple definition of planning is thinking about what you have to do to accomplish your goal. It involves future thinking. Psychologists have tried to break down this type of thinking from a variety of perspectives. One view is that it is a process of formulating, evaluating, and selecting a sequence of thoughts and actions that hopefully will lead to the goal. Another perspective is that planning is a deliberate, mental organization of actions that are oriented toward a goal. Yet another perspective is that planning involves being conscientious, orderly, and meticulous, then ...

Building futures in New Ulm: CTE pathways expand with new equipment, opportunities

Columns

At New Ulm Public Schools, we believe in preparing students for life beyond graduation — whether that’s college, careers, or community leadership. One of the most exciting areas of growth in our district is Career and Technical Education (CTE). Looking ahead, we’re guided by our proposed district vision — “Inspire, Engage, Innovate. Soar.” — and, with the generosity of local businesses, community partners, and grant support, we’re building something truly special for our students and our community. Through the efforts of the CTE Campaign and the support of the New Ulm ...

Free health care for illegal immigrants: At what cost to Minnesotans?

Columns

A concerned constituent recently sent me a text message regarding the escalating cost of providing medical care to illegal immigrants in the State of Minnesota. Here’s what’s currently in place: In the 2023 Health and Human Services budget bill, illegal immigrants were granted free coverage under MinnesotaCare. The estimated cost for this over the next four years is $220 million, and the number of estimated enrollees was just over 5,000 individuals. Alarmingly, in the first three months of enrollment, over 17,000 individuals qualified, more than three times the original ...