Issuu

Access PrEss Volume 3. Number5

SOURCES

May10,1992

RESOURCES

HealthRight Passes - T:-.2 Sponsors Tell Us All About It The initial flurry of pub- not widely understood. Ogren,and both of theiropinion articles follow on pages 6 licity a b u t bdiawwta's rtebvm&icalpbbs& The real experts on & 7. n t . ..,

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sided and an amazing amounrof misinformation has surfaced in the form of rumors and speculation on timetables, costs and availability of the insurance. "The Gang of

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A lot of us watched the Minnesota legislature shut down

Repm@&xeF&Ogrenm

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Diagnostic, rehabilitation, out-patient lab and x-rayi home health and mental health services

How It Wonks Who's Eligible and When

-1,1992 &WtStwkd siblings with a child in the Children's Health Plan may

Immunizations Vision care Eyeglassesf~rkidsand~~;~

by William A. Smith, Jr.

January 1,1994: Shgkdml~ TtK hllowing co-payments ~ required: ~ ~ and while conducting a se- by the chairman (and the be changed to act as a safety and households w i l h 0 ~ tk ries of sham public hearings, board members) at the legis- net that supplements acces- I dren may enroll. Unless 10 &cent for inpatient I

their own agenda called "VISION FOR TRANSIT" whichdoesnot includeMetro Mobility as a primary source of transportation. Instead, it is listedas aL'safetynet". The very term "safety net" has fallen into such disrepute after (RTB). administration'sabuseofthe term, I regard it asan insult to Wehdnorhing. the public. And, of course, people don't ride "safety aftter the fact,it wasapparent nets" to work each day or to that there was no discussion. amoviein the evening. They Our representatives in the need buses and taxis andvans. legislature and the senate accepted the governor's pro- Reading the latest publicaposal to add $1,500,000 to tions of the RTB, however, the Metro Mobility budget clarify thesituation. Theonly without a whimper. This unanswered question seems amount almostcoversa defi- to be the timing of thechange cit created in 1991 when the in plans. Whendid"V1SION program wasprovidingclose FORTRANSIT'becomethe to full service and optimisti- mission of the Board? Apcally predicting improve- parently,wellbeforethepublic hearings in late 1991. So ments. the die was cast, the hearings The support promised last were for show, and the i&tGovernorCarlson tention of the chairman and ever materialized leading board members at the heare agency into a deficit. ings makes more sense. The gparently by the end of the lack of support for future ear, the RTB had given up, funding of Metro Mobilit abandonment of Metro Mobility and were, frankly, shocked that there was no visible concern over the issue. We expected at least to hear some response to the pleas by those affected and the demands made by the Regional Transit Board

HealthRight are the original sponsors?and tireless advocam) who kept the process moving until it became law. So, ACCESS PRESS asked Senator Linda brglin and

Thejust published 1991An- lation -rather than serve as a nual Report of the RTB starts comprehensive public tranwith amessage from Michael sit service for those with Ehrlichmann, chairman, in mobility limitations. New which he notes that the main criteria willbe in placeby the missionof theRTB istomove summer of f 992. people where they want to -

a subsidy are eligible to buy into the Health Right plan. People over income guidelines should be able to buy affordable insurance in the private market.

and subject to $10,000 an- && nual benefit limit - July 1,1993 50 Percent for preventive dental; kids are fully covered $3.00 per prescription for

of the statement makes no mention of Metro Mobility cutbacks, but touts the new Vision for Transit, which he says benefits every resident in the region.

issue of the RTB MESSENGER, an official publication:

uninsured for at least 4 ered months to be eligible. The $25.00foradulteyegli~~ses; plan targets the uninsuredby kids are fully covered Here's what Val Higgins, a requiring employees to wait -m new board member has to say 18 months for eligibility. A on the subject: "Right now How is it Financed people with disabilities de- How Do You Enroll Cigarette tax is increased ] Gregory Andrews, the Ex- pend on Metro Mobility be- Health Right will be adminby 5 cents per pack for j I ecutive Director of the RTB, cause it's convenient and isteredprincipallythrough the start-up money notesthattheboardincreased quite often, is the only option Departments of Health and January 1,1993: 2percent ' fares for Metro Mobility in they have available. Unfor- HumanServices. Enrollment tax on hospital gros? rev1991but says the changes in tunately, some people think information will be widely enues eligibility and certification wearegoing to changeMetro publicized. The telephone January 1,1994: 2 percent will help bring the program Mobility in a way that will numbersare 1-800-657-3672 grossrevenuetax expanded within its available budget. limit their travel patterns. and 612-287-3862. to includeother healthcare i Instead, we are working to providers and wholesale h There is a brief mention of make all transit more acces- What Benefits are Covered drug distributors -.X & ' the fare increase which was sible so that people will have in the HealthRight Plan January 1,1996: 1percent ruled discriminatory by the many choices in addition to insurance premium tax on hF> Minnesota ~ i ~ h t~s e &Mobility." o The plan builds on the non-profi~payerslike~lue deparunentand thus lowered Children's Health Plan which Cross, to the maximum permitted. Michael Ehrlichmann's col- covers: Out-patient hospital, phyumn is headed "Momenulm Finally, there is the state- for Transit Funding Growsician and clinic services NOTE: The 2 percent k'

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H O W IT W 0 R K . C Cnnt nn n 7

May 10,1992

Access Press

Building Community Across Disabilitv Lines

N ~ W State Trust Law Could Effect Perso'ns With Disabilities I

Date: May 29,1992 by Arnie Gruetzmacher .. Time: 8:30 - 4:00 prn to talk to a lawyer or Place: Minneapolis Society A new trust provision will go avoidingpaying nursing home for the Blind into effect July 1,1992. This costs, however it also effects a financial planner to see how new provision states "A pro- anybody that is using a trust as tbis will affect your particular vision in a trust created after a planning device t~ protect situation. It may be possible Come join us for a one day July 1, 1992, purporting to assets for a person with a dis- to change the form of the trust workshop designed to inmake assets or income un- ability. to offset the effect of this new crease understanding and available to a beneficiary, if law, but professional advice communication between disability groups, Issues will be the beneficiary applies for or Many persons with disabili- ,will be required. addressedin areas of Employis determinedeligiblefor pub- ties are depending on a trust lic assistanceorapublichealth that will be created from an- There is currently an effort care -program, is unenforce- other persons wiil, such as underway to attempt to amend able." their ~arents.called a testa- or clarifv this new change so This will elim hate a very importantplanningtoo1that is used extensively for financial planning for a person with a disability. Theoriginal intent of the law was to prevent wealthy senior citizens from

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comes effectivewhen the par- wal nbt:@iniluded. ent or other interested person dies, which more than likely (Arnie Gruetzmacher is Regional Director of Estate will be after July 1, 1992. PlanningfirPersons withDisFor people who are relying on abilities) a testamentary trust it will be

Washington County Home Modification Program Starts May 4

ARC Minnesota G - ' - - -

What's in the Bill for Small Business

The bill offers two basic What's in the Billfor HeaUh benefit plans for businesses Care Providers

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Physicianswill get an average 24 perkent increase in medical assistance reimbursementsfor primary care starting October 1,1992. Hospitals will get an average 20 percent increase in medical assistance reimbursements for outpatient servicesstarting October 1, 1992. While hospitals average less in the MA increase, they also pay less in MA surcharges which draw down federal dollars for the increase. Rebasing- will move more

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We offer 24 hr. Emergency Service exclusivelv to our regular customers. UPS and deliveries to Mpls., St. Paul & Suburbs.

with 2 to 29 employees one plan has a $500 per person and $1,000per family deductible...the other is based on co-paysratherthan deductibles. The bill expands the Public Employee Insurance Program (PEIP) to allow private sector groups to form large pools to access better rates. Dependent students can now stay on their parents' policy until age 25.

EMERGENCY SERVICE:

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NOTE: Providers get an average 25 percent increase in Medicaid, children's health plan and GAMC reimbursements for outpatient care beginning October 1, 1992.

Wheelchairs Commode chairs (with complete repair service) Walkers Canes, crutches Bathroom safety aids Blood pressureequipment Incontinent supplies

Dave Moore of WCCO TV will be the honorary chairman of the evening.

Variety abounds, with Moore by Four and the Sheik's Sextet being joined by The Medicine Show Music Company. Jearlyn Steele Battle, Kate MacKenzieandPeter Ostroushko will be there as well as nationally renowned jazz An annual event, the Minnesota Celebrity pianist Butch Thompson. Gala will be heldatOrchestraHal1. All of the performers donate their services, many of Ticket prices start at $10.00. For ticket inforthem annually for this event. POP,jazz.and mation, call 333-6621.

vider tax excludes revenue from Medicare, Medicaid, Health Right, GAMC, uncompensatedcareand nursing home payments.

YOUR COMPLETE MEDICAL SUPPLY VENDOR

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f u n k s e r by ~ r c ' ~ i n n e s o t aArc . - Minnesota is the founder of a nationwide movement dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities.They currently have 54 chapters in Minnesota alone, with over 7000 members in counties throughout the state.

Washington County Housing provideasmuchasa~grant may not be available until tt md Redevelopment Author- to a home owner living in middle of June. Intereste ty (HRA) has developed -.a Washington County for adap- parties should contact tt lewprogram forpersons with tive housing modification. Washington County HRA ; 321 Broadway Ave., St. Pal jhysical disabilities and senlory impairments. Called the Applications are being taken Park, MN 55071. Telephor 'Home Mod" program, it can now, although final funding 458-0936.

HAND1 MED AL SUPPLY

ment, Transportation,Educa- participate in the challenge to tion and Recreation. We will examine what common examine together the simi- ground we have and increase laritiesanddifferencesamong communication across disseveral disability groups. The ability lines. workshop will focus on blind, mobility impaired, hard-of- For more information call: hearing, deaf, and deaf-blind, Minneapolis Society for the and multiply handicapped. It Blind 871-2222 is not hard to see how we Lolly Lijewski 673-0439 differ from each other. Come

INC.

May 10,1992

Access Press ~ Sister ~Kennv 7 Institute

May Is Better Hearing And Speech Month tening to excessively loud cer of the larynx (voice box), Communication is a complex furtherhindering the processing oral cancer, cerebral music can cause hearing loss, mouth, and esophagus. Ex- process, involvingthe following of new information. The palsy and brain tumors. individual's communication The power and wonder of the the volume on radios and tape cessive use of alcohol com- ing steps: bined with smoking further players used with earphones with othersreflectstheconfu- Dysphagia- a swallowing spoken word is reflected in. the face of a child as she care- should not be turned up more increasesthe incidenceof oral - You must be alert in order to sion and disorganization the disorder caused by a number or laryngeal cancer. receive information from person is experiencing. of conditions including fully speaksa first word to her than half way. your surroundings; proud and excitedparents. On stroke,head trauma, MS and the other end of the spectrum, Occupational noise-induced Among U.S. males, use of - You must concentrate on the Speech-lanmepathologists cancer. . an elderly man, disabled by a hearing loss is acondition that tobacco is responsible for information you are receiv- specialize in evaluation and treatment of speech,language, Communication problems paralyzing stroke, struggles develops after prolonged and about 90 percent of all lung ing; repeatedexposure to high levcancer, and 75 percent of all You must remember, or revoice, swallowing, and cog- associated with noise expoto make himself understood els of noise. Although a heartain the information in the tumors of the mouth, pharnitive problems. Someof the sure, stroke, cancer, mental to his children. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, ing loss may not be apparent ynx, larynx and esophagus. order or sequence it was common head trauma ail- retardation,brain injuriesand ments seen by speech-lan- other factors are often pre-:,-, and the Speech-Language for as many as 10 years after For U.S. females, tobacco use given; is responsible for 75 percent You must analyze and comexposure, any improvement guage pathologists at Sister ventable. "Prevention - z Pathology Departmentat Sister Kenny Institute wants you in the work environment that of the lung cancers, and 40 pare the information with Kenny Institute Speech-Lan- works,"says JaneHorn. "It's never too early to begin prac- . to take careof your communi- would reduce noise-induced percent of all tumors of the what you already know in guage Pathology include: hearing loss in new workers mouth, pharynx, larynx and order to bring meaning to ticing a healthier lifestyle." cative health. would also benefit existing esophagus. Inaddition,chew- what is occumng; Aphasia-a1anguagepnx'~ssA variety of communication workers. Hearing protection ing tobacco may also cause - You must organize and re- ing disorder resulting from To submit questions on !: late the information with damage to the "language ar- medical or rehabilitative is- '2% problems may result from devices should be worn by all cancer of the mouth. your ideas, feelings, and eas" of the brain, usually on sues for future columns, brain injuries or disease, and woJrers in noisy environSmokers in certain occupa- beliefs so you can under- the left side. write: Medical Issues and even carelessnessin our daily ments. tionsareat increasedriskfrom stand the interaction with Disability, Sister Kenny Inactivities. Then the ability to communicateis lost, replaced The Occupational Safety and the cambination of cigarette your surroundings and pre- Dysarthria- a disorder char- stitute, Dept. 16601,800 E: by the struggle of trying to Health Adminisaaticn WHA) smokingandexposureto toxic dict what may result from it; acterized by slurred or dis- 28th St., Minneapolis, MN reports that 9.4 million U.S. substancessuch as dust from - You must then integrate and torted speech caused by a 55407-3799. make oneself understood. p.oductionworkerseither~~)wcotton, silica and coal; fumes organizeyour reactions into variety of conditionsincl-udp'."'."~ommunicationis the m-work or have worked in in- from rubber and chlorine; and cess by which we receiverand dustrial locations with noise- fibers from asbestos. Uragive messages and share exposurelevelsof 8Odecibels nium miners who smoke also feel; :::.:%* .-m,..T...m .meaninnandideas,"saysJane or higher. As a result of their faceinc~cancerriskover - Now you are ready to Vans- b;$f$@@g - --, &rn, speech-~an- occupational exposure, 17 nonsmoking miners. iy .- rmaaehghlom. 'Wecando pencent of these workers have :L-

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Controlling high blood pressure is anotherhn-m. Other skills may not be as ventative measure. . ~e;$:$ obvious, but are &pally nec- 500,OQO A~~I'@$wnffkr txmtdd'888mgeas&essary. These are related ta sirah mu-*. of cer deaths, 75 percent of cognitive functioning and in- these patients suffer from esophagealcancerdeaths,and whileremembering and orgaclude the ability ta p y atten- s l d or imprecise speech 30 percent of fatal liver cantion and concentrate bn the which is difficult to under- cers. tasks at hand; remembering stand. The National Heart, Thesebasiccognitiveskillsinformation and using that Lung andBloodinstituteesti- Aside from those behaviors paying attention, rememberinfdmationtosolveproblems matestwo-thirdsof thosewho we canundertaketo safeguijrd ing and organizing informain our lives, and organizing sufferastrokehavehighbload our communicative health, tiocrucial to the comthoughts in ways that make pressure. A d d i t i d y , the there are many communica- municatiod grocess. se& and can be understood American Heart Asmiation tion problems which may reby our listeners. All of these ~ 1 1 p e r c e n t ( 2 4 0 , 0 0 0sult from head injury. Prob- When cognitive functioning skills are essential to mean- cases)of strokescouldbe pre- lems following traumatic is reduced it is reflected in all ingful and effective commu- vented if smokingwereelimi- brain injury may include dif- areas of interaction within a "WECARE" ficulty speaking due to weak- person's environment. Indinated. nication. ness and i n a n a t i o n of the viduals with. these cognitive PROFESSIONAL - SENSITIVE - DISCREET In order to safeguardourcom- In order to guard against the muscles used for speech and - problemsrespond to their surTOM,MARY,BILL municative health, there are risk of stroke, report to your voice, and difficulty under- roundings in a confused, disFREE RX DELIVERY COMPETITIVE PRICES many simple things we can doctor any signs of standingand expressing ideas organized manna and expe3400 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis do. One of the most obvious minkmkes. 'Ihese precur- because of a disturbance in rience difficulty analyzing, is to maintain a healthy voice. sorsof a full blown strokeare language functions or im- problem solving and learning new information. Short-term Excessive coughing, throat characterizedby sudden dim- paired hearing. memory may alsobeaffected, clewing, crying and scream- ming or lossof vision; paralying are harmful to the voice. sis or sagging of one side of Coughing and throat clearing the face; dizziness, usually HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS Tel612 associated with colds can with a loss of vision; tempostrain or imtate the larynx, rary difficulty in speaking or 455 1 Bloomington Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407 leading to temporary voice understanding speech;or loss loss known as laryngitis. If of musclecooldination. These SPECIALIZING IN HOME HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS this occurs,excessive talking conditionsshouldbe reported should be avoided to give the to a doctor even when symplarynx time torecover. Whis- toms disappearin a few hours. Urological / Ostomy pering also should be avoided Following your doctor's orin order to maintain a healthy ders can mean the difference voice. Likewise, talking between health and recurring Incontinence / Skin Care loudly to be heard over exces- symptoms including a stroke. sive noise can strain the voice. Another way to protect your "Providing The Products You NEED, The SERVICE You Want.. Avoidingprolonged exposme communicative health is to to loud noise is an excellent stop smoking. Smoking is way to protect against hear- causally associated with canMEDICAL ASSISTANCE - MEDICARE - MEDICAID - BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD ing impairment. Because lis-

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Hello Nicole:

by Peter McLaughlin Iieinepin County ~ommksioner ing, test results and, for MIS positions, ranking on their oral wereevaluated and ranked against all other job applicants, County Departments ..................................... ............... and provides a one-year the Co~nmunityServices De- with personnel vacancies then .'aimt#i training and internship partmentjoined the BAC and receive a listing of the top fi curriculum -leading to the has added new opportunities seven applicants for considDuring 1985 the IBM corpo- placement as an entry level and support for the training eration. Graduates from the ration called together the computer programmer. Col- program. As members of the MRC training program have Chief Information Officers lege level credit is earned by BAC, Hennepin County staff consistently been ranked from major Twin Cities cor- students in the program have served as guest instruc- among. the top seven for,all ................................................................ ............ ,'mi@~fgdas'*j;i::jii$jH'i& ws!t porationstodiscussthepossi- through the Minneapolis tors providing technical and openpositions. ............ ............................................................. ..;... ................. ................................................................... .... bility of implementing the Community College. Finan- business-oriented presentamodel computer training pro- cia1suppo~andstudent refer- tion to students; reviewed The partnership of business gram it had designed for per- rals have consistently come cuniculum;conductedadmis- and government through the sons with severephysical dis- from the Minnesota Division sjon interviews and partici- BAC with this specialized abilities. One of the key as- of Rehabilitation Services, pated in quarterly progress program is working. At Hennepin County eight perpects of the IBM model is the State Services for the Blind, evaluations of students. sons with disabilities are now formation of a Business Ad- U.S. Department of Veteran visory Council (BAC) to as- Affairs, and private insurers. To date, eight students have fully employed and, accordcompleted internshipswithin ing to their supervisors, are ............................... sist operations staff in curriculumdevelopment,student The MRC Computer Train- Hennepin County. Two were performing their work well. lntg@a@&@ry recruitment, selection and ing Program is currentlytrain- hired within the Information This parulership is definitely evaluation, development of ing its seventh class. The first Services Department as pro- a win-win-win, that is, aplus internship opportunities, and six classes have graduated 53 grammer trainees, and six in- for the employees, Hhnepin placement. Among the initial individuals, 49 of whom were dividuals were hirq in the County as employer, and the 30 respondents was the Di- successfully placed in data Community Services Depart- taxpayers. It is a great exrector of Hennepin County's processing positions. The ment, four as Management ample of how training can

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two years was $25,500 per trainees. At the present time zens. The early BAC meetings year. sevenof these individuals and one additionalprogram gradu-0 .The MRC Computer Trainsulted in thedevelopmentof a

gram. 1tis &rated by ~ u l t i - County's in-house data pro. Resource Centers, Inc. cessing staff) has been an ac(MRC). The program is tive participant on the BAC. geared for individuals with In the Fall of 1989, the Inforsevere ~hvsicaldisabilities mation Resources Propfam of

'To the WW:

County all of these individu- apply or have questionsabout f$ als had to compete for their the program, please contact $ ! positions under the Colinty's JaneLarson, Director,at 871- @ ..... :::.> open-competitive hiring pro- 2402. >.:,.... 3 ... .... cess. Their experience. trainzri

A prime example of IYll is ladmPipmthepartof0w; ent voter, but how can they Carlsan; the justify what will amount dluby the ;ro

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acdrizedvery often by kudos livesof d i s a k l e d c i wht) ~ Henj Kallis; and ness which we &eforgraatd depend daily on its senic4 othermerah of the legisla- ai the right and privilege of and criticisms. Theydependon it for m e d i d turn, all of wrh9m knew that being whole? As the session is evduatedby smviw,fnrw&f' social/ the$lSIO,aX)mmmencM the concerned cmstituency, recrqWneeds,forchu~b ww far iort of the needed. Harold Kemer it becomesclear to tk@a that 9 1 P d d h m y orheradvan- d o k to maintain thesystea. Minneapolis while hallmark kgislation tagm of am&mity living s$ at its current level of service.

Healthrite) other legisZaPon disabled romrnuniEy. . These unaffected individuals will see themselves as having critical @thelivesof dismad people died bemiuse of the The m a w this program donewhat they couldand will this letter as being lack of leadership. hclcdlhcf*g&ws duein alargemmuretofailed that of a dismntled constitu-

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~ublbhv ~dfboa IStaff WrfterlPhdographer .I Cartoonist Production . ............................... Circulation-Distribution Manager

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ACCESS PRESS is a month1y tabloid newspapler *tisip3 for pasons with disabifiti~@ Polychrome, Ltd., W.A. Smith, Jr., President. C h W i s 10,000, distributed the first w & q E w month through more than 100 locations smtewida. Appmximat&ly650 wpies are mailed m y @I political, business, institutional and civic leaders. M p t i o n s are available for Slyyl. Editorial submissions and news releases an topics of interest to persons withdiibiliti&, qr pawns serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. Paid advextising is available at rates ranging frm $6 to Sl2/wlurnn inch, &p+hg frequency. ClassifKd ads are $7.00. plus 20 cents/wd over 35 words.

a &&and . Adv-g and editorial deadlines are the 30th of $e month preceding pubfication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art.

Inquiries should be directed m: ACCESS PRESS 3338 University Ave. SK. Minne~poliis. Umnesota 55414 (612) 379-0989 Fax (612) 379-2730

An entry indicates that park facility is likely to be functional for most people with physical disabilities.

by Lisa Taylor Lake Spring has arrived at the Min- Picnic areas are open in two nesotaLandscapeArboretum! sites, or you may lunch at any Daffodils and tulips are ofthebenchesalongthepaths. blooming in great sweeps of Therearealsoday and evening color. The rock garden with classes in gardening topics. blooms to come. The magno- (Arboretum members may l i a m i s in full fragrantbloom rent facilities for private funcand forsythia is not far be- tions). hind. There are even early sproutsof radishes, onionsand Free walking tours are offered strawberries in the Home every Tuesday and WednesAs summer progresses, the September. The tours are 90

gardens will continue to un- minutes long and start at the fold with each bloom in its lobby reception desk. season: Iris in May through

Cost is $1.50 perrider, infants ride free. The tram has space The Arboretum's gardens are for two wheelchairs. Tickets linkedbypaved,handicapped- are available at the lobby reaccessible paths. The Rose ception desk. Garden's addition,under conreserve bus or walking tours two weeks in advance.

&rims,

all with aganien- Ramsey County Parks Idor3p&m: 777-1707

,-Andasen Horticultoral Li- Hennepm Parks Information '

bray has nedy 10,000 vol- 559-m,TDD 559-6719

- umes and hundreds d peri-

odicalsand flyerson M c u l - City of Minneapolis Parks t d and gardening topics. Information 348-2226 There is a seztion covering R e c d o n LRisureLhe (24horticultund therapy, which .hr. recorded info) 348-7275 tells of gardening techniques . wndmodificatimsthatcan~- City of St. Paul Parks cornmodate gardeners who information 292-7400 aren't able to bend down, or usecertain tds,or haveocher City of Richfield Woad Lake limitationsthat canbmom- Nature Center .godated with alternative Information 861-9365

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May 10,1992

HealthRiaht

Access Press

Health Care I C0nditi0tl senator Linda Berglin by

physician services,dental,eye be popular since they are less preexisting condition limita- ers of health care. care, chemical dependency costly than plans currently on tions or exclusions. An imTheplan,calledHealthRight, treatment, mental health ser- the market and they will pro- portant change requires that Health care access and cost is acomprehensiveproposal vices, outpatient hospital ser- videemployerswith healthier, insurance is portable, allow- issues vary greatly in ing workers to change jobs Minnesota's rural areas comto control health care costs, vices, and inpatient services more satisfied employees. and take their insurance with pared to its metro region. To reform our insurance indus- with a $10,000 limit on inpaDuring the eighties, overall try, provide greater access to tient services. HealthRight Benefits for these plans are them without losing coverage betteraddresstheserural queshealth care spendingrose 163 health care providers in rural will be coordinated with our basic. They emphasize pre- or being denied care for cer- tions aRural Health Advisory percent. By 1991, health care areas, and offer subsidized medical asshnce spenddown ventive care while including tain illnesses or having fur- Council will be established. equaled 12.2 percent of our health care coverage to program so the inpatient hos- some prescription, mental ther pre-existing exclusions Its task is to developasystematic and cohesive approach total Gross National Product Minnesota's "working poor." pital limit will not apply to health and chemical depen- in their policies. toward rural health issues and (GNP). These increases are It is a reformer's bill, not a children, single parents or dency coverage. Additional To assist self-employed in planning. cutting into the budgets of revolutionary's bill. It builds unemployed families. The benefits are available. their attemptsto afford health government, business and upon the strengths of our sys- poorest of the working poor will receive larger subsidies, care coverage, all farmers and One typical problem that exAnother option for all busitem. families. those making more, receive ness will be to join an insur- other self-employed people ists in rural areas is getting According to the President's This pioneering proposal was smaller subsidies. The state ance pool with counties, cit- will be allowed to deduct the health care professionals to Budget Director Richard supportedby both Democrats will contract with managed ies and school districts. This entire cost of their personal locate there. HealthRight reDarman, health care spend- and Republicans, as well as health care providers for both new underwriting option al- health insurance premiums sponds to this by expanding ing will overtake Social Se- several organizations repre- the HealthRight program and lows employers to spread the from their state income taxes. on Minnesota's current loan forgiveness programs. Doccurity as the biggest item in senting medical providers, for the families on medical health care risks of their emthe federal budget by the year insurance companies, labor, assistance. Our goal is to ployees among a larger popu- Expandingaccess is only half tors, nurses and mid-level 2000 if reforms are not made. business, seniorsandchildren. eliminate the stigma of wel- lation than insurance compa- the problem, however, so practitioners who agree to fare from our medical pro- nies presently provide. This HealthRight includes several serve in rural areas will have He warns that these increases HealthRight is an important grams while providing care reduces the cost of insurance provisions to control cost as portions of their student loans in return. are jeopardizing the nation's step forward for Minnesota. I through the most cost effec- and also stabilizes the insur- well. Some of these provi- forgiven ance pool. sions include: HealthRight also proposes to long term economic stability believe it may also be a blue- tive system. and sinking the federal gov- print for other states to work increase graduation rates by Besides income eligibility This plan offers employers a -uniform billing forms and 20%forpediatriciansand farnernment deeper into debt. from. limitations, participants must broader benefit package than procedures to reduce spend- ily practice doctors, by fundIn 1991, Mr. Darman told HealthRightbegins by recog- also be permanent state resi- what's included in the other ing on administrative costs; ing the University of MinneSenate Finance Committee nizing that access and cost dents and have lived in the business plans. Employers -medical practice guidelines/ sota Medical School residency members, "I would contend.. . control are linked together. state for at least six months. choosing this option are re- parameters will be created to program. (this) is not realistic. Some- Therefore, HealthRight in- Eligibleparticipantsmustalso quired to pay for at least one- minimize unnecessary and Because rural areas typically where, somehow, something cludes several proposals to have been uninsured for at half of each employee's pre- ineffective care; mium. is going to have to give." expand access to health care least 4 months. -creation of stateandregional have a high number of eldin both the individual and boards to set the future rate of erly, receive low Medicare summer.

:-HealthRight: Massive

p. IJ

forms that will immediately care while minimizing wastesave 3 to 5 percent in admin- ful practices. Providers will istrative costs. practice less "defensive medi>Insurance companieswill be cine" in fear of malpractice limited to spending no more suits and the public will be than 25 percent of the premi- able to pick providers based ums we pay for administra- on performance. tion and profit. Over the next >The Commissioner of five years this limitation Commerce's rate setting auwould be narrowed to 80 per- thority will addstrongenforcecent. ment to fair insurance rates >Medical malpractice re- and anti-discrimination law. forms would streamline the >Medicaid reimbursements legal process and reduce the for primary and outpatient by Representative Paul Anders Ogren cost of liability insurance that hos~italcarewill be increased The state of health care in ernment talks but does noth- Washington-thehugevested Q and some of the provid- providers cany. 25 percent, adding to our proMinnesota and America is in ing. Several states are trying interests are flexing. their ers, such as medical doctor >Comprehensive health care viders' revenue base and encollapse. Just look at the dol- to take action, but- just as in muscle. The insurance indus- associations, don't want to budgeting on state and re- couraging to see - - providers . turn off the money gional levels will ensure that patients whose bills will be lars we spend and what machine. Thosewho we put our health care dollar mostly paid for with federal it means to all of us: benefit from rampant into the most efficaciousand dollars. >The average Ameriinflation and waste cost effectivehealth care ser- >Providers who take patients can per employeehealth are fighting genuine vices. under state plans - such as plan cost rose 46.3 perreform that would >Insurance reform would be- workers' combensation, benefit the rest of us. gin the process of ending dis- Health Right, MCHA and the cent between 1988and Their clout is awe- criminationby age,health his- State Employees Plan -will 1990 and another 12 tory, occu~ationand home be requrred to take Medicaid percent in 1991, four times the rate of inflatown in the private hsurance and other public patients as But in Minnesota a market. Discrimination based well. remarkable thing has on gender is eliminated im- >Dependent students will be >56 percent of business pre-tax profit now goes happened. Republi- mediately. able to stay covered under cans and Democrats >A number of weflness in- their less costly parent's polito health care. came together and ' centives-such as not smok- cies until age 25. >8 out of every 10 agreed to put vested ing, exercising and getting strikes are over health care. interestsasideandre- annualcheck-ups-will pro- The cost containment provially get a grip on mote individual responsibil- sions get a grip on what's >24 cents out of every costs,reform the sys- ity and reduce premiums for unnecessary. And that allows dollar spent in health tem and- by saving those who practicegood health us to deal with what's so uncare is spent on administration. money - find the habits. fortunate. Our hospitals, for dollars to offer all >Small groups will be able to example, spend $1 20 million >In America some 37 Minnesotans access combine into larger groups to a year in Minnesota in care

Cost Containment Pays For Affordable Care

-mentnowworkink its' tice and pediatrics in clinics That brings us tohow we find' way through the pub- throughout the state. the money to pa; for Health

>Inflation in health care has soared between 13 and 20 percent annually in recent years. >Health care costs now make up almost $1 out of every $7 spent in our entire economy. Since 1983health care spending has doubled.

The - such as loan forgiveness be offeredto Minneagreementy<'cost programs - will get more soam-ssthestate. ~tscontainment inter- practitioners into cost effec- with a5 centcigarettetax and ventions are imme- tive care where they are most a 2 percent revenue lax diate and intensive. needed in rural Minnesota. on hospitals. Other health >Outcome-based research care providers will be phased will tell us which procedures up to that 2 percent level by >Strong conflict of work and which don't and 19%. interest prohibitions allow us to peg futurefunding that Stop providers to the most effectivekinds of Justwhere does that2percent from referring tests and procedures to businesses in which Better Care

How will this picture change by the year 2000? Without dramatic change, eachand every statistic will only get worse. More people will be forced to drop coverage, the average per employee health plan willcost $22,000a year and insurance companies will carve out more of the sick and

Medical, I ~ c . >An end to the high tech medical arms race by limiting new equipment and capital purchases to what

ment that will prohibit doctors from billing senior citizens over the Medicare

As a nation and state we will spend much more coverage. ..meaning . ROLL IN health care outcomes-will only get worse. We'll have SHOWERS less money tospend on education, police, our environment, ELEVATORS food on the table, shelter STAIR LIFTS and the simple pleasures of life.

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