“In a show of unity, all but one member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation has signed a letter seeking to preserve $24 million in federal funding for MinnesotaCare, and protect health coverage for over 80,000 Minnesotans.”
Yesterday, Minnesota’s congressional delegation banded together to oppose federal funding cuts that would put coverage for more than 80,0000 Minnesotans who rely on MinnesotaCare at risk – except Republican Congressman Jim Hagedorn. According to a new report, Hagedorn was the only member of the Minnesota delegation not to sign onto a letter opposing the cuts.
According to Detroit Lakes Online:
In a show of unity, all but one member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation has signed a letter seeking to preserve $24 million in federal funding for MinnesotaCare, and protect health coverage for over 80,000 Minnesotans.
The proposed change by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would significantly cut federal payments to Minnesota’s Basic Health Plan program, MinnesotaCare
…Only U.S. Jim Hagedorn, a Republican who represents Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, didn’t sign the letter.
…If enacted, this change in rate structure would cut federal payments to MinnesotaCare by $24 million over two years, putting the health coverage of more than 83,000 enrollees in Minnesota at risk.
An abrupt shift in BHP payment methodology could jeopardize coverage for Minnesotans as the state is forced to confront the funding shortfalls that would be created by a dramatic reduction in federal funding.
Congressman Hagedorn’s support for cutting MinnesotaCare funding is just the latest example of his efforts to gut health care for middle-class Minnesotans. Hagedorn voted last week to back a lawsuit that could eliminate protections for 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, explode the cost of insurance premiums and out of pocket costs, and charge older Americans an “age tax” for their care.
“It is unconscionable, but sadly unsurprising, that Congressman Hagedorn chose not to stand up for more than 80,000 Minnesotans who are at risk of losing their health care,” said DCCC Spokesperson Brooke Goren. “Minnesota voters are paying attention to Hagedorn’s efforts to take protections away from people with pre-existing conditions and raise health care premiums for working families, and they will be holding him accountable at the ballot box next year.”
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