“… and decrease the surplus population.” Ebenezer Scrooge

The Bush budget proposes a $45 billion cut in Medicaid over the next ten years. Administration official Josh Bolten says the cuts will “squeeze the anomalies out of the system.” Never mind that those “anomalies” are flesh and blood, old people and babies, people earning far too little to pay for medical care or $1000 monthly insurance premiums.

Not to be left behind, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty also insists on cuts in Minnesota’s health care coverage. Severe cuts were made last year. The Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund documents many of the cuts.

“The Smith family of Scott County and their 17-month-old son, Kalem, recently felt the effects of changes made to Minnesota’s MA Program. At
12 months old Kalem became uninsured due to reductions in the eligibility guidelines for newborns. Kalem’s father is an employee of a two-person technology company that does not offer health insurance for dependents. Kalem’s mother, Heather, stays home to care for him. … The toddler automatically received MA under the “auto newborn” at the time of birth, but lost his coverage after his first birthday because his family’s income exceeded the income limit by less than $20…”

Anna* is a 9-year-old girl in Minneapolis who has substantial hearing loss. Hearing aids allow her to function normally and develop appropriate social, behavioral, and academic skills. Due to the cuts made to GAMC, Anna is no longer able to access health care coverage, which helped her family pay for the hearing aids and supporting services she requires.”

Joanne* has three sons under the age of 14 who are without health insurance for the first time. Joanne is a full-time county employee and earns slightly more than $2,600 a month. By the time she pays for her family’s basic needs of rent, utilities, food, and car, she has $356 left each month for all other expenses. Paying her share of the monthly premium offered by her employer to cover dependents would leave her with $31 each month. This is not an option.” Last year the Minnesota legislature reduced eligibility for the Minnesota Care program — Joanne’s children are no longer eligible for coverage.

For more information on the gaping holes in Minnesota’s health care safety net, go to the Children’s Defense Fund. Write to your legislator. Write to Pawlenty. Tell them you want all Minnesotans to have access to health care — but that you especially want all children covered by Minnesota Care. Make your voice heard.