Aitkin County
People in Aitkin County pay for care in many ways: Medicaid in many forms, MinnesotaCare, employersponsored and insurance people buy on their own, and Medicare. They face ever-increasing medical bills and premiums, and deductibles and copays that are uncomfortably high. Toss in daily conversations in Washington, D.C., and St. Paul and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of it all. So, we’re trying to show you how it’s all connected to care for Aitkin County residents by laying out some of the upcoming changes and policy conversations.
Data to bring it home
Here you’ll find health insurer data, along with details that are publicly available, and help to make connections about:
- Medicare, it’s changing in two ways. Right now, Medicare is working on major changes to how it pays clinics. And more than 300,000 people across the state will change how they get Medicare between now and 2019 under current law. CSRs remain a news story in Washington and here. These Cost Sharing Reductions lower deductibles and copays for low income people. And in Minnesota, CSRs helped fund MinnesotaCare.
- Medicaid in Minnesota now insures 923,400 people in the state, 178,842 of whom didn’t get it before. Congress continues to talk about both pulling back the Medicaid Expansion, the insurance these people have, and other changes to Medicaid funding. In 2017, about 125,466 people across the state got help to pay premiums from the federal government to pay premiums. The average household saw a discount of $609 each month. Another 109,000 people got help averaging $606 from the state and health insurers through the state’s Premium Subsidy Program.
- About half of the people with health insurance are worried about being able to afford care, reports the Kaiser Family Foundation. We are showing you data about the care people get. Who pays determines how much is paid.
MEDICARE CHANGES FOR PEOPLE, CLINICS
Changes for people. A specific type of Medicare, Medicare Cost, is going away in most counties nationwide as the government restructures Medicare. It effects more than 300,000 people statewide, but Aitkin County is excluded. About 1,844 people (42 percent) in Aitkin County who have Medicare do not have to change.
Changes for clinics. MACRA. MIPs. APM.
New Medicare lingo that describes changes to how Medicare pays clinics. In 2019, Medicare is scheduled to start paying clinics for the care they give, not the process of giving it. Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) requires the changes. They affect care people get through Medicare Part B, most often received outside a hospital. While the rules aren’t final, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, physical and speech therapists will get some of their pay the new way.
LOCAL EFFECT OF FEDERAL MEDICAID DECISIONS
Rollback would cut thousands from insurance The Affordable Care Act made Medicaid available to any resident who make less than about $16,400 a year and doesn’t get health insurance through work. Congress continues to talk about changing rules and if that happens Minnesota will decide how to fund this care on its own or drop the people who are enrolled. People get care through Medicaid in one of five ways.
Expansion. Men and women without children, or who had assets that barred previous enrollment. About 738 people, 19 percent, in the Aitkin County area get care this way.
- MSHO & MSC+. Minnesota Senior Health Options and Minnesota Senior Care Plus are for people who are poor, over age 65 and also have Medicare, about 248 people in Aitkin County. Part D & Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are add-ons to Original Medicare and Medicare
Cost Plans. Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, July 2017 - SNBC. Special Needs Basic Care. People with disabilities, many of whom also have Medicare, about 189 residents in Aitkin County.
- Children and Families. Women and men with children, about 1,913 in Aitkin County.
- Fee-for-Service. About 715 people in Aitkin County get Medicaid directly from the state. No health plan is involved.
Medicaid funding changes would affect people who are elderly or disabled Although current legislation doesn’t include funding changes like block grants, Minnesotans are especially vulnerable to any federal changes. Our state has a long history of including services not federally required. If the federal government moved to funding Medicaid through a lump sum payment like a block grant, the state would have a lot of decisions to make. One would be cutting care the federal government doesn’t require, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy; case management for seriously and persistently mentally ill persons and for children with serious emotional disturbances; inpatient psychiatric facility services for people under age 22; chiropractic care, hospice care, medical equipment and supplies; and personal care assistants. Much of this care is provided in nursing homes and from personal care attendants though Minnesota Senior Health Options and Special Needs Basic Care. In 2016, for Council member insurers
statewide, people in Children and Family Medicaid coverage had medical bills of $4,823 on average for the year while people enrolled in MSHO, MSC+ or SNBC averaged $20,269 per person for the year.
In addition to rolling back the new people with Medicaid and eliminating optional care, other changes will also be discussed including money the
state gives counties to help pay for services. Source: Minnesota Department of Human Services for calendar year 2015. Statewide Medicaid spending on all who are eligible.
CHANGES TO MINNESOTACARE ADD BUDGET PRESSURES
In most states, stopping federal Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments hits just insurance companies.
Here, CSRs pay for MinnesotaCare. The federal government pays insurance companies CSRs to lower
deductibles or copayments for individuals with yearly income up to $30,150 (250 percent of federal
poverty level. The 2017-2019 state budget spent the “shock absorber” that could help continue to pay
for care for 427 Aitkin County area residents enrolled in MinnesotaCare while other funding options are
considered. As for insurance companies here, CSR payments to help 13,000 households across the state
lower their deductibles and copays for insurance they buy on their own.
PUBLIC PROGRAM BUY-IN
Again in 2018, Gov. Dayton is proposing
people who get their own insurance
should be able to buy from the state.
His proposal created new Silver and
Gold options from the state.
(MinnesotaCare’s current Platinum-plus
option would remain for low income
Minnesotans.) Because government
plans pay doctors, hospitals and clinics
less than private insurance, clinics and
hospitals would get on average about $400 per person less each month for the care they give. The only
savings in the public option is from paying doctors, clinics and hospitals less. Gov. Dayton’s proposal
doesn’t have enough detail yet to compare deductibles, copays, prescription drug costs and other
details to what people buy on their own today.
PEOPLE BUYING THEIR OWN INSURANCE
While fewer than 4 percent of Minnesotans buy health
insurance on their own, those policies have garnered what
feels like 100 percent of the attention of Council staff, health
insurer leadership, policymakers, reporters and others.
In 2017, 265 people Aitkin County got a 25 percent discount
on premiums from the state and that is gone in 2018.
However, the federal government will continue to help pay
premiums. In 2017, about 495 people in Aitkin County got
that help, totaling $723 per household on average.
Reinsurance
One of the biggest influences on 2018 rates is reinsurance. It shares share high medical expenses across
all Minnesotans instead of requiring the small number of people who buy health insurance on their own
to pay those bills. It helped hold premiums on average to 2017 rates.
Rating Area 7
People Moving from
Private Insurance to
Public Programs
Hole* Created in Budget of
Aitkin County Area Hospitals,
Clinics, Others Who Give Care
9,492 $45,561,600
*Based on statewide average of current MinnesotaCare and private insurance
payments. The number will be higher in areas of the state with higher medical
expenses and lower where care isn’t as expensive.
Sources: MN Office of Management & Budget 2017, MNsure
2017 and as of January 2018
Help Paying Premiums in Aitkin County
Aitkin
County
Residents
From Household
Average
265 State, 2017* $879 a month
495 Federal, 2017** $723 a month
*as of September 2017
**as of July 2017
5
GETTING AND PAYING FOR CARE
People worry about getting care and paying for it whether they have health insurance or not. MN
Community Measurement publishes reports each year on the care people get and how expensive it is at
medical groups and clinics across the state. You can also see in their reports what government payers
like Medicare and Medicaid pay compared to employers and people who get their own insurance for the
same tests or procedures.
The following data are direct comparisons
about the care people in the Aitkin County area
get, how much is paid and how it changes
depending on who pays.
Total Cost brings together all care
Total Cost of Care shows how a clinic provides
care.
These payments wrap in all care including
doctors; hospital care; prescription drugs; lab
tests and scans; physical therapy and other
services; and mental health care for people with
private insurance.
The average payment for common tests and
procedures. The data below are from people
who get insurance through work or buy it on
their own. It doesn’t include government payments.
Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015
Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015. Data are risk adjusted, setting a “level
playing field” across medical groups. Risk adjustment takes into account factors that
can influence the outcomes of the care, such as demographics (age, gender, etc.) and
a history of medical conditions (diabetes, a high blood pressure, cancers, etc.) This is
done to make sure clinics that see people who are sicker aren’t penalized.
6
IT MATTERS WHO PAYS
Right now, more than 4,432 Aitkin County area residents have their care paid by Medicare. Another
3,497 people get their care through Medicaid and MinnesotaCare.
It’s no secret we’re all getting older and many of us have low incomes. And it isn’t a secret policymakers
both in St. Paul and in Washington, D.C., are under tremendous pressure to stop spending so much
money. The two facts clash on health care and it will continue.
Here are examples of how government pays less that private insurers for the same care. Below you’ll see
how the mix of who pays impacts local hospitals.
Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015
A LOCAL LOOK AT WHO IS PAYING
Think about what’s paid. You can easily see changes in
who pays is an important issue for clinics, hospitals and
others who give care. At Riverwood, 59 percent of the
hospital’s revenue comes from Medicare.
As more Minnesotans are 65 and older, the Medicare
share will grow, and the private insurance portion will
shrink. How will organizations like Riverwood and others
manage the decrease in revenue but an increase in
patients and the care they need?
Source: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2016.
7
A LOCAL LOOK AT CARE
Like medical bills, care isn’t the same throughout the state. But what is good care? It means, based on
the latest evidence from medical research, you’re getting the types of care that work best. While each
patient is different, research has shown that some types of care tend to get better results than others. It
can take decades from the time medical evidence is proven to work until it becomes common practice in
clinics. MN Community Measurement is accelerating that timeline so Minnesotans get the best care
possible as soon as possible.
Here is a look at teen mental health and colon cancer screening in the Aitkin County area from MN
Community Measurement.
CONTACT
Eileen Smith ● Minnesota Council of Health Plans ● 612-840-4554 ●
<HEAD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><STYLE type="text/css"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->DIV[class="Document"] {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->H1 {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->SPAN {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-family:'Calibri','Calibri',sans-serif;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-size:15.9pt;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-style:normal;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-weight:bold<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->P {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->UL {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->list-style-type:disc;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->LI {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> list-style-type:disc;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->DD {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->A {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-style:normal;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> font-weight:normal<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->H2 {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->DIV[class="Sect"] {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-indent:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->IMG {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-left:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->TABLE {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> border-width:thin;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> border-collapse:collapse;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> padding:3px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-bottom:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-top:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-right:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> margin-left:0px;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> direction:ltr;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> width:auto;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> height:auto;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> display:inline-table;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> float:none<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->THEAD {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> height:auto<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->TR {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> height:auto<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->TH {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> width:auto<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->TBODY {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> height:auto<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->TD { <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> text-align:left;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> vertical-align:top;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> width:auto<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->}<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></STYLE><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><META<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> name="dc.creator"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> content="Eileen Smith" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><META<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> name="dc.date"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> content="2018-04-23T11:21:05-05:00" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><META<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> name="dc.date.modified"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> content="2018-04-23T11:21:05-05:00" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><META<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> name="generator"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> content="Adobe Acrobat Exchange-Pro 9.5.5" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></HEAD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><BODY bgcolor=white text=black link=blue vlink=purple alink=fushia ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Document"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H1><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_0.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ALL CARE IS LOCAL</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_1.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_2.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_3.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_4.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_5.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_6.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_7.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H1><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H1><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_8.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>DATA FOR </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>AITKIN</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>COUNTY </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_9.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_10.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_11.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_12.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_13.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_14.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_15.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H1><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>People in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County pay for care in many ways</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>: </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicaid in many forms, MinnesotaCare, employer</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>sponsored and insurance people buy on their own, and Medicare. They face ever</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>increasing medical bills </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>premiums, and deductibles and copays that are uncomfortably high. Toss in daily conversations in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Washington, D.C., and St. Paul and it's nearly impossible to keep track of it all.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>So, we're trying to show you how it's all connected to care for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>C</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ount</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>y residents by laying out </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>some of the upcoming changes and policy conversations. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Data to bring it home </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Here you'll find</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>health insurer data, along with details that are publicly available, and help </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>make </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>connections</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about:</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicare</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, it's</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>changing in two</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ways</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. Right now, Medicare is working on major changes to how </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>it pays clinics. And</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>more than 300,000</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people across the state will change how they get </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicare between now and 2019</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>under current law.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CSRs </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>remain a news </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>story in Washington</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and here</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. These Co</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>st Sharing Reductions lower </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>deductibles and copays for low income people. And in Minnesota</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CSRs help</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ed</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>fund </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MinnesotaCare. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicaid in Minnesota</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>now insures </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>923,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>400</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people in the state, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>178,842 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>whom</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>didn't get it </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>before. Congress continues to talk about both pulling back the Medicaid Expansion, the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>insurance these people have, and other changes to Medicaid funding. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>In 2017,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>125,466</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people across the state got </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>help to pay premiums</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>from the fede</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ral </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>government to pay premiums. The average household saw a discount of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>$609</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>each month. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Another </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>109,000</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>p</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>eople </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>got help </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>averaging $606 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>from the state and health insurers</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>through the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>state's Premium Subsidy Program. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>About half </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people with health in</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>surance are worried about being able to afford care, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>reports the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><A href="http://www.kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/data-note-americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs/"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#699F1F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Kaiser Family Foundation</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></A><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. We are showing you </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>data about the care people get</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. Who</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_16.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>pays determines how much is paid. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></ul><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MEDICARE CHANGES FOR</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>PEOPLE, CLINICS</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_17.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Changes for people.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>A specific type of Medicare, Medicare Cost, is going away in most counties </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>nationwide as the government restructures </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicare. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>It</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>effects more than 30</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>0,000 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people statewide</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>but Aitkin County is </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>excluded</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. About </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>1,8</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>44</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>(</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>42</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>percent</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>) </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>i</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>n </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>who have Medicare </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>do </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>not have to change</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=370 height=293 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_18.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=313 height=262 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_19.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Changes for clinics. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MACRA. MIPs</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>APM. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>New Medicare lingo that describes changes </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to how Medicare pays clinics. In 2019, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicare is scheduled to st</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>art paying clinics </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>for the care they give, not the process of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>giving it. Medicare Access and CHIP </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Reauthorization Act (</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MACRA</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>) </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>requires the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>changes. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>The</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>y</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>affect care people get </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>through Medicare Part B, most often received </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>outside a hospital. While the rules</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>aren't final, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>p</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>hysicians, dentists, chiropractors, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>registered nurses, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>physical and speech therapists</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>will get some </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>of their pay the new way. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:6pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Part D & Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are add ons</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:6pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:6pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to Original Medicare and Medicare </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:6pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Cost Plans. Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, July 2017</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:6pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=325 height=43 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_20.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>LOCAL EFFECT OF </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>FEDERAL</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MEDICAID</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>DECISIONS</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_21.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Rollback</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>would </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>cut</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>thousands from insurance</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=370 height=292 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_22.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=357 height=274 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_23.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>The Affordable Care Act made Medicaid available </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>any resident who make</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>less than about $16,400 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>a year</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and doesn't get health insurance through </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>work.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Congress cont</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>inues to talk about </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>changing </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>rules and if that happens</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Minnesota will decide </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>how to fund this care on its own or drop the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people who are enrolled. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>People get care through </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicaid in one of five ways.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Expansion.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Men and women without </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>children, or who had </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>assets that barred </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>previous enrollment. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>About </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>738</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>19</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>percent</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin County area</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>get </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>care this way.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MSHO & MSC+.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Minnesota Senior Health Options and Minnesota Senior Care Plus are for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people who are poor, over age 65 and also have Medicare</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>248</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></ul><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>SNBC. Special Needs Basic Care</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>People with disabilities, many of whom also have Medicare</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>189 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>residents</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Children and Families</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#006FC0"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Women and men with children</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>1,913</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>•</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-family:'sans-serif', 'Arial'; font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Fee</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>for</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Service</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>About </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>715</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>p</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>eople</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>get Medicaid directly from the state. No </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>health </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>plan</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>is involved. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></LI><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></ul><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicaid funding changes would affect people who are elderly or disabled </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Although current legislation doesn't include funding changes l</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ike block grants, Minnesota</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ns are</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>especially vulnerable to any federal changes. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=283 height=218 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_24.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Our state has a long history of including services not </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>federally required.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>If the federal government moved to </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>funding Medicaid through a lump sum payment like a </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>block grant</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>state would have a lot of decisions to </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>make. One would be cutting care the federal government </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>doesn't require</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, such as</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>physical, occupational and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>speech therapy; c</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ase management for seriously and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>persistently mentally ill persons and for children with </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>serious emotional disturbances</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>; </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>inpatient psychiatric </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>facility services for people under age 22; </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>chiropractic care, h</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ospice care</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, m</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>edical equipment </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and supplies</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>; and personal care assistants. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG alt="A screenshot of a cell phone<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Description generated with very high confidence" width=341 height=325 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_25.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Much of this care is provided in nursing homes and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>from </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>personal care attendants though Minnesota </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Senior Health Options and Special Needs Basic </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Care</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. In 2016, for Council member insurers </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>statewide, people in Children and Family Medicaid </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>coverage had medical bills of $4,823 on average for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>the year while people e</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>nrolled in MSHO, MSC+ or </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>SNBC averaged $20,269 per person for the year.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>In addition to rolling back the new people with </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Medicaid</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and eliminating optional care, other </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>changes will also be discussed including money the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>state gives counties to help pay for services</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Source: Minnesota Department of Human Services for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>calendar year 2015. Statewide Medicaid spending on all </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>who are eligible.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=280 height=87 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_26.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CHANGES TO MINNESOTA</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CARE ADD BUDGET PRES</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>SURES</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_27.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>In most states, stopping </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>federal </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Cost Sharing Reduction </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>(</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CSR</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>)</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>payments hit</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>s</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>just insurance companies. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Here, CSRs pay for MinnesotaCare. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>T</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>he federal government pays insurance companies</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CSRs</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to lower </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>deductibles or copayments for individuals with yearly income up to </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>$30,150</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>(250 percent of federal </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>poverty level</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>The 2</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>017</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>2019 state budget spent the “shock absorber” that could help continue to pay </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>for care </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>427 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin County area</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>residents</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>enrolled in MinnesotaCare while other funding options are </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>considered.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>As for insurance companies here, CSR payments to help 13,000 households across the state </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>lower their deductibles and copays for insurance they buy on their own.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>PUBLIC PROGRAM</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>BUY</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>IN </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_28.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TABLE><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><THEAD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_29.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Rating Area 7 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></THEAD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_30.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TBODY><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_31.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>People Moving from </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_32.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Private Insurance to</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_33.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Public Programs</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_34.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Hole</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>*</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Created in Budget of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_35.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin County </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>A</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>rea</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Hospitals, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_36.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Clinics, Others Who Give Care</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>9,492 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:normal; color:#404040"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> $45,561,600 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>*Based on statewide average</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>current MinnesotaCare and private insurance </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>payments</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. The number will be </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>higher</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in areas of the state with higher medical </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>expenses and lower where care isn't as expensive. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TBODY><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TABLE><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Again in 2018, Gov. Dayton is proposing</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people who get their own insurance </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>should be able to buy from the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>state</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>His proposal created new Silver and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Gold options</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>from the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>state</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>(MinnesotaCare’s current Platinum</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>plus </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>option </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>would remain for low income </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Minnesotans.) Because government </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>plans pay doctors, hospitals and clinics </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>less than private insurance, clinics and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>hospitals would get on average about $</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>400</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>per person less each month for the care they give. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>The only </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>savings in the public option is from paying doctors, clinics and hospitals less.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Gov. Dayton's proposal </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>doesn't have enough detail yet to compare deductibles, copays, prescription drug costs and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>other </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>details to what people buy on their own today. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>PEOPLE BUYING THEIR </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>OWN INSURANCE</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_37.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>W</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>hile fewer than 4 percent of Minnesotans buy health </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>insurance on their own, those policies have garnered what </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>feels like 100 percent of the attention of Council staff, health </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>insurer leadership, policymakers, reporters a</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>nd others.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Help Paying Premiums in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TABLE><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_38.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_39.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_40.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Residents</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_41.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>From </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_42.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Household </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_43.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Average</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; color:#FFFFFF"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>265 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>State, 2017* </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>$879 a month </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>495 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Federal, 2017** </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:9.9pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>$723 a month </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TD><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>*as of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>September 2017</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>**as of July 2017 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TH><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TR><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></TABLE><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=303 height=219 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_44.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>In 2017</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>265</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>got </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>a 25 percent discount </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>on premiums from the state and that </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>is gone in 2018. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>However, the federal government will continue </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to help pay </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>premiums</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. In 2017, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>495</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>go</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>t</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>that help</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, totaling </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>$</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>723</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>per household on average</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Sources: MN Office of Management & Budget 2017, MNsure </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>2017 and as of January 2018</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=271 height=41 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_45.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Reinsurance </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>One of the biggest influences on </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>2018 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>rates is reinsurance</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. It shares </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>share high medical expenses across </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>all Minnesotans instead of requiring the small number of people who buy health insurance on their own </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to pay those bills. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>It helped hold premiums on average to 2017 rates.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>GETTING AND PAYING F</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>OR CARE </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_46.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>People worry about getting care and paying for it whether they have health insurance or not. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>MN </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Community Measurement publishes reports each year on the care people get and how expensive it is at </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>medical groups and clinics across the state. You can also s</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ee in their reports what government payers </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>like Medicare and Medicaid pay compared to employers and people who get their own insurance for the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>same tests or procedures.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_47.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG width=364 height=280 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_48.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>The following data are direct comparisons </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>about the care people in the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin County ar</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ea</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>get, how much is paid and how it changes </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>depending on who pays.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Total Cost brings together all care </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Total Cost of Care shows how a clinic provides care. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>These </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>payments</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>wrap in all care including </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>doctor</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>s</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>; hospital care; prescription drugs; lab </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>tests</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and scans</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>; physical therapy and other </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>s</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ervices; and mental health care for people with </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>private </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>insurance.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015. Data are risk adjusted, setting a "level </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>playing field"</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>across medical groups. Risk adjustment takes into account factors that </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>can influence the outcomes of the care, such as demographics (age, gender, etc.) and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>a history of medical conditions (diabetes, a high blood pressure, cancers, etc.) This is </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>done to ma</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ke sure clinics that see people who are sicker aren't penalized.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; color:#854EA8"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=393 height=110 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_49.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>T</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>he average </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>payment </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>for common tests and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>procedures</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>. The data </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>below </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>are from people </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>who get insurance through work or buy it on </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>their own. It doesn’t include government payments. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=311 height=239 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_50.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=296 height=228 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_51.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>IT MATTERS WHO PAYS</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_52.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Right now, more </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>than </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>4,4</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>32</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin County area</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>residents have their care paid by Medicare. Another </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>3,497</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>people </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>get</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>their care through Medicaid and MinnesotaCare.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>It’s</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>no secret we’re all getting older and many of us have low incomes. And it isn’t a secret</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>policymakers </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>both in St. Paul and in Washington, D.C., are under tremendous pressure to stop spending so much </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>money. The two facts clash on health care and it will continue. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Here</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>are examples of how government pays less that private insurers for the same care. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Below</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>you’ll see </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>how the mix of who pays impacts local hospitals.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=281 height=279 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_53.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG alt="A screenshot of a cell phone<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Description generated with very high confidence" width=261 height=206 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_54.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=309 height=277 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_55.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG alt="A screenshot of a cell phone<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Description generated with very high confidence" width=291 height=240 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_56.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Source: MN Community Measurement, 2015 </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>A LOCAL LOOK AT WHO </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>IS </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>PAYING</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_57.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Think about what's paid. You can</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>easily see changes in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>who pays is an important issue for clinics, hospitals and </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>others who give care.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>At</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Riverwood</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>5</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>9</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>percent</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>of the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>hospital’s revenue comes from Medicare.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=278 height=288 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_58.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=239 height=264 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_59.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>As more Minnesotans are 65 and older, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>the Medicare</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>share will </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>grow,</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and the private insurance portion will </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>shrink. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>How will organizations like </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Riverwood</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and others</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>manage the decrease in revenue but a</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>n increase in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>patients and the care they need?</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Source</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>2016</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=291 height=39 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_60.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>A LOCAL LOOK AT </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CARE</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_61.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Like medical bills, care isn't the same throughout the state. But what is good care? It means, based on </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>the latest evidence from medical research, you're getting the types of care that work best. While each </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>patient is different, research has shown tha</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>t some types of care tend to get better results than others.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>It </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>can take decades from the time medical evidence is proven to work until it becomes common practice in </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>clinics. MN Community Measurement is accelerating that timeline so Minnesot</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>ans get the bes</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>t care </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>possible as soon as possible. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Here</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>is a look at teen mental health </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>and</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>colon cancer screening in the </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Aitkin</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>County </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>area</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>from MN </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Community Measurement. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Good care for youth age 12 to 17 includes </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>screening for depression and other mental </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>health c</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>onditions. This screening is part of well </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>child visits and statewide on average, </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>73 out of </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>100 youth</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#6F2F9F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>get this important screening</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>.</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=311 height=244 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_62.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=328 height=252 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_63.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; font-style:italic; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=301 height=232 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_64.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>CONTACT</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:14pt; color:#58346F"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><IMG lang="en-US" style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_65.jpg" ><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></H2><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><DIV class="Sect"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Screening tests for colon cancer look for </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>cancer before a person has any symptoms. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Statewide on average</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>, 72 of 100 adults </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>between 50 and 75 who saw</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>a doctor </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>were up</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>to</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>date on colon cancer </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>screenings. </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><IMG width=277 height=218 style="vertical-align:text-bottom" src="https://mnhealthplans.org/images/Aitkinv2_img_66.jpg"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style=" font-weight:normal"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Eileen Smith</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>●</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>Minnesota Council of Health Plans</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>●</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>612</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>840</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>-</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>4554</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:8pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->>●</SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->><A href="mailto:"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:normal; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></A><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><SPAN style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->> </SPAN<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->></P><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></DIV>