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State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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NORTHFIELD HOSPITAL FIGHTING FOR ADEQUATE STATE FUNDING
Potential state budget cuts at area hospital could amount to $2.5 million
ST. PAUL, MN – Dozens of hospital administrators from across the state descended on the State Capitol today to fight for adequate state funding in the face of the state’s worst ever budget crisis. Potential budget cuts under Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Health Care proposal would eliminate $764 million in state funding for hospitals over the next two years. Those cuts would be devastating to hospitals and Minnesota communities – eliminating critical care options for patients, shedding thousands of jobs, and potentially forcing some Minnesota hospitals to close. Northfield Hospital administrator Ken Bank was in St. Paul advocating for a more reasonable House plan authored by Rep. Huntley and discussed his support for the House plan with State Rep. David Bly.
“If the governor’s budget passes, his cuts to hospitals will never heal," said State Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL – Duluth) who chairs the House Health Care and Human Services Finance Division. “Jobs and services lost to those cuts will never come back. Hospitals in Northfield and across the state would be severely damaged, unable to recover.”
The governor’s budget plan hits close to home. Should the plan become law, Northfield Hospital and Long Term Care Center would stand to lose $2.5 million over the next two years. Northfield Hospital employs over 400 people. It’s estimated for every $1 million hospitals are cut it will result in 20 job losses.
Under the budget plan offered by House DFLers, Minnesota hospitals would face significantly lower cuts, totaling just $76 million – $688 million less than what Governor Pawlenty has proposed. Losses to Northfield Hospital would shrink to only $38 thousand.
“Minnesotans deserve a balanced, responsible approach to solve this shortfall and turn our economy around,” said Bly. “Deep cuts to hospitals that weaken our health care system and force thousands of Minnesotans out of jobs isn’t balanced or responsible.”
Rep. Bly encouraged his constituents to contact him and the Governor with their opinion on cuts to hospitals as well as other legislative priorities. He can be reached at (651) 296-7065 and by e-mail at rep.david.bly@house.mn.
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