Readers Write: Homelessness, MinnesotaCare buy in, gas tax, border wall
MINNESOTACARE BUY-IN DEBATE
Insurers, experts are data points. Real people are a critical mass.
The MinnesotaCare buy-in shouldn’t be a debate between insurance companies and legislators (“A start, not the end, to ‘buy-in’ debate,” editorial, Dec. 9). It should be a conversation about how can we ensure that all Minnesotans have the care they need in order to live full, healthy lives.
I’m sitting here in my apartment, recovering from surgery. I am doing remarkably well, because I have great insurance. I receive Medicaid, and so this lifesaving surgery was free to me. Before this surgery, performing everyday activities made me feel exhausted and ill. Now I’m getting my life back.
Earlier this year, I had some cancerous tissue removed from my body. I feel very lucky to live here in Minnesota, which bought into Medicaid expansion. I am able to live a healthy albeit difficult life because of the help I get from the government.
I also suffer from anxiety and depression that have made being fully employed very difficult for my adult life. I now receive Social Security Disability Insurance since being let go from my last job in 2013. I fought to stay employed. Then I fought to qualify for SSDI. And I feel so grateful to get such quality health care. Each and every one of us deserves the same care that I get.
I’m proud to live in Minnesota because we are a state that takes cares of each other. MinnesotaCare buy-in fits into our larger health care system. Our elected officials need to listen first and foremost to Minnesotans who rely on public health care, and continue being a state that puts people first.
Rachel Zemmer, St. Paul
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