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State Representative Thomas Huntley
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2228
For more information contact: Jessica Nyman 651-296-8877
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HHS Cuts Unfairly and Irresponsibly Target Vulnerable Communities
Saint Paul, Minnesota – House Republicans adopted the Health and Human Services Conference Committee Report, which would deliver a dramatic $1.7 billion across the board cut, disproportionately affecting seniors, the disabled, and the poor. Furthermore, because many of the proposed cuts receive federal dollars, many worry the cut will exceed $3 billion when factoring in loss of federal funds.
“Let’s be clear," said State Representative Tom Huntley (DFL – Duluth). “In voting for this, Republicans are asking our most vulnerable communities to bear significant, life-changing cuts and financial burdens instead of asking corporations and the wealthiest 2% of Minnesotans to pay their fair share.”
Just four months after Governor Dayton signed an executive order to begin enrolling Minnesotans with incomes at or below 75% of the federal poverty line, into the early Medicaid program, Republicans propose to eliminate this program accounting for nearly $1 billion of cuts made. As a result 150,000 Minnesotans would be forced into the failed Coordinated Care Delivery System, a program that would shift much of the costs to providers and leave many with inadequate health care coverage and care. Early MA would provide $1.8 billion dollars through state and federal funds. However, the Coordinated Care Delivery System proposed by the GOP would only provide $330 million—an 82% cut in funding support for this vulnerable population.
“Dramatic cuts such as these, compromise the nationally recognized bi-partisan strides in health care reform that have been made over the past few years,” said Rep. Huntley. “Dismantling these reforms will have severe impacts on the quality and cost of care for all Minnesotans.”
In addition to the repeal of early MA, seniors and the disabled would see substantial cuts that would jeopardize their ability to live independently, while adding additional health care costs. Cuts these severe would mean the loss of health care for nearly 145,000 Minnesotans and a substantial reduction in essential services for Minnesota’s most vulnerable. Additionally, hospitals across the state would be forced to grapple with significant cuts resulting in the elimination of more than 20,000 private sector jobs and increased insurance premiums for middle class families.
“Cuts made by the GOP majority are a clear indication of misplaced priorities and do not reflect the values we hold as Minnesotans,” said Rep. Huntley. “Turning our backs on the most vulnerable communities in Minnesota violates the moral framework of our state.”
News Items
- Rep. Huntley on Upholding of the Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court - (Posted: 2012-06-28 00:00:00)
- Two Year Anniversary: Affordable Care Act Puts Minnesotans First - (Posted: 2012-03-23 00:00:00)
- Huntley, Murphy, and Lourey Join Nearly 500 Legislators Across U.S. to Defend Constitutionality of Affordable Care Act - (Posted: 2012-01-12 00:00:00)
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