Duluth Healthcare Roundtable Discussing Future of Medicaid

DULUTH, Minn.– State healthcare leaders, providers, and advocates are holding a series of roundtables to discuss the future of Medicaid.

Right now, changes are being proposed for Medicaid funding for the federal level.

This would result in 880 billion dollars in cuts over the next ten years.

In Minnesota specifically, it would mean the loss of 1.6 billion dollars annually.

Following this possibility, members of the community discussed the financial and health impacts of the proposed cuts.

There were conversations surrounding how Medicaid has personally benefited them in the workplace.

“I think it’s important for people to know the number of people covered. Who actually is covered and so again the share of older adults over the age of 65, 40 percent of Minnesota kids. People with behavioral health conditions. The outside roles that Medicaid plays when attacking the opioid crisis, behavioral health crisis. in our community. So, when we talk about cutting Medicaid, we’re talking about reducing or removing one of the biggest levers or tools we have,” said John Connolly, State Medicaid Director, and Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services.

For one of the doctors attending this roundtable, he got to share some insight on how Medicaid allows him to do his job to the fullest.

“Right now, in Minnesota we have excellent coverage for pregnant women and children specifically. We also have wonderful mental health coverage, which we need. We know that what we’re doing right now is the right thing to do. And what we really want to do is keep that up,” explained Dr. Mike Kassing, Section Chair OBGYN dept. Essentia Health.

This roundtable was the second of several panels that will be taking place across the state in the next few weeks.