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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH BOARD AWARDED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT GRANT
State Rep. Andrew Falk is pleased to announce that a State Health Improvement Program grant in the amount of $498,000 has been awarded to the Countryside Community Health Board, which includes Big Stone, Chippewa, La Qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine Counties. The program, created by the 2008 health care reform bill, is designed to help communities reduce obesity and smoking rates. The Countryside Community Health Board grant is designated for planning and assessment of these prevention efforts.
“Chronic diseases are not only undermining the health of our citizens, but also comprise a significant portion of our overall health care costs," said Falk. “All health care experts agree that preventive measures must be part of any health care reform. This grant will help our district address these issues.”
SHIP was appropriated $47 million over 2010 and 2011, which is enough to allow every Minnesota county to participate. Governor Pawlenty proposed slashing the budget in half last year, but the House and the Senate were able to secure full funding.
The program is based on federal guidelines and pilot programs have been tested in several Minnesota communities. A local match of ten percent is required, and communities must be held accountable for making progress towards measurable outcomes. Non-partisan experts estimated the total savings to the state's health care system could $1.9 billion by 2015. Minnesota is the first state to invest in a chronic-disease-prevention program.
“I’m very pleased we were able to block the Governor’s cut to this program, which is already taking a funding hit because of his veto of the General Assistance Medical Care program,” said Falk. “Working families are finding it more difficult every day to keep up with rising health care costs. We need to utilize every tool available to rein in the cost of health care.”
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