Onward to Health Care Reform V

 

In an earlier Blog I wrote about a bill introduced by DFL Sen. John Marty in the Minnesota legislature to address concerns about the high cost of state public plans that use HMOs for administration.  A similar bill was introduced by Republican Sen. Sean Nienow.  Neither bill was included in the final bills passed by the legislature.  The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition (MUHCC) then encouraged people to contact the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the federal level to not approve a waiver to continue using HMOs for processing Medicaid payments.  Unfortunately CMS approved the waiver, but they now require the HMOs to submit financial reports quarterly and annually along with additional reporting requirements.  We'll see whether this bears any fruit in cost containment.

 

Joan and I traveled recently to the city of Tracy in SW Minnesota for a Health Care Forum.  The forum had local community leaders discuss our current health care system and possible reforms that can increase access and lower cost.  Dr. Michael DeBrule of Marshall, MN moderated the discussion and gave an excellent talk on what is wrong with our health care system and why the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) would solve the cost problems, and provides high quality coverage for all Minnesotans.  Approximately 40 people attended the event, asked many questions and showed interest in the plan.  Several people have stepped up to build a regional team to educate in the SW Minnesota region.  We are finding that Greater MN is very receptive to changes in how we pay for our health care.

 

The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition (MUHCC) in May hosted an event at the Park Square Theater in St. Paul, titled "Artists on Stage for Health Care".  The event is part of the "Campaign for the Minnesota Health Plan".  The event was a combination of health care stories, artists performing, and information on why and how to reform health care in Minnesota.    

 

 

 Those of you  who have access to the Northfield Public Television (NTV) cable channel 12 can view the event on Tuesday, 8/16/2011. at 9pm and on Sunday, 8/21/2011, at 8:30pm.  The show is entertaining and informative.  I have a DVD copy of the show and can make it available for public showing.  Give me a call or email if your interested; 507-645-0094, sjanusz@charter.net.

Join the DFL at the Rice County Fair

The Rice County DFL has a booth at this year's Rice County Fair.

When:  Tuesday, July 19th to Sunday, July 24th

Where:  Rice County Fairgrounds
               1814 2nd Avenue Northwest
               Faribault, MN
               Located in the commercial building next to the Sellner Memorial Stage (see map below).

FOOD DRIVE:
The Rice County DFL will be holding a food drive at their booth during the fair. If you are able to please consider contributing non-perishable food items and/or baby items (diapers, formula, etc.). The donations will be given to the local food shelf after the fair.

For more details or to get updates from the fair visit the Rice County DFL's facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108350275927623&closeTheater=1#!/event.php?eid=108350275927623

Remembering Ken

In Loving Memory
Kenneth (Ken) J. Beck
1949 - 2009

Today we remember a dear friend and fellow DFLer. It's been two years since our community lost a champion of people, a teacher, an actor, a husband, a brother, a friend.

Today we celebrate the blessings we received in having known such a kind, and caring individual. We miss his laughter, his advice, his knowledge, his friendship, his passion and his love.

His contributions to us collectively and individually will never be forgotten.

Ken's D.F.L. Legacy

Ken served in the D.F.L at various levels. He first got involved back in 2004 within the Rice County D.F.L. as an at-large director. Ken said that he couldn't sit by any longer and wanted to fight for the change our country & state so desperately needed. In 2005 he was elected as chair of the Rice County D.F.L. when the chair at that time resigned. Ken served in that capacity until December 2005. He left that position after being elected as the Second Congressional District D.F.L.'s associate chair. In 2008 Ken was re-elected as the Second Congressional District's associate chair and he was also elected Historian of the Rice County D.F.L.

Ken made many contributions to his D.F.L. family over the years - from making his and Marcia's coffee shop open to D.F.L.'s candidates and the party itself to the wonderful words of wisdom & insights he gave to candidates, party members and friends.

Ken has been sorely missed over the last two years. His smile and laughter still echo in our hearts and minds. His words of wisdom still ring in our ears. His compassion and concern for others still lives on in our memories and our works.

We will always remember our friend Ken.

Lonsdale Area DFLers: Community Conversations

You're invited to the Lonsdale area DFLers'
Community Conversations

Please join us on Monday, June 20,
at the Lonsdale Public Library, 1006 Birch Street NE,
starting at 6:30 p.m. for an insightful discussion
of an important topic.

A special guest speaker will discus poverty in our areaand what is being done locally to combat it.

This conversation brings together involved
and concerned neighbors who care about our community.

For more information please e-mail:  sd25dfl@yahoo.com

Onward to Health Care Reform IV

Joan and I went to an organized rally Saturday, May 21st at the State Capitol focused on the Legislature cutting 140,000 people off medical care, the huge HMO reserves, and the super inflated salaries of the CEO's of the HMO's.  The rally was well organized with great speakers at the rotunda.  We then got on buses (5 of them) and went to the Calhoun Beach Club where Medica's CEO, David Tilford, is a member.  In the rain, about 200 of us chanted outside the club (with David Tilford supposedly inside)--great chants; can't remember any of them and the sheet with them on was "melted" in the rain.  Anyway, the message was "GIVE THE MONEY BACK" and "PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLE".  One  last chant I do remember:  "We'll be back".  Tilford was picked out because Medica has a contract with United Health Group, one of the largest health insurance companies in the country.

The four major Minnesota HMO's that contract with the State of Minnesota to administer public programs for low income people have financial reserves far in excess of what is needed for insurance solvency-- over $600 million in excess.  This excess is due to the large profits that they amassed from their state program contracts.  Returning this money to the state would be an important step in helping balance the state's budget.  So far only Ucare has stepped up by returning $30 million.

Bills introduced for improved transparency and accountability for public health insurance plans have had no consideration by the State Legislature.  This makes one think the health insurance companies have control of the process.

(c)2011 Senate District 25 DFL / Steve & Joan Janusz. All rights reserved.

Note:  Opinions expressed in this article are that of the authors and do not neccessarly reflect the views of the Senate District 25 DFL or DFL in general.

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May 1, 2011 - Osama bin Laden Dead

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