MPR examines how Minnesota’s recent expansion of Medical Assistance is helping low-income people in rural areas get better access to health care. The previous state health care program for the poor required people to get medical care at one of a few locations in the Twin Cities. Since most people living in poverty don’t have access to transportation, the rural poor were effectively denied access to health care unless they went to an emergency room (thanks, Governor Pawlenty!). And even then, they would often be saddled with medical bills they simply couldn’t pay. Now, they can access clinics and other health care providers close to home. As I’ve said countless times before, elections matter.
It’s also worth noting that a lot of public workers have worked long hours to ensure that our fellow Minnesotans get the health care they need.
