Medicaid
I believe that access to health care is a human right, regardless of income or health status, which is why Medicaid is so important. It’s the nation’s health insurance safety net for low-income and disabled Americans. Medicaid is jointly funded by our state and federal governments and is known in Minnesota as Medical Assistance. It provides coverage for about 500,000 Minnesotans each month. More than half are children and families; the rest are elderly and people with disabilities. As the largest source of federal support to the states, Medicaid is also a major engine in state economies, supporting thousands of Minnesota jobs.
I’m proud that the new health reform law includes federal Medicaid funds to cover low-income adults without children, who have historically been covered at state expense. This will bring in hundreds of millions of new dollars for Minnesota, providing fiscal relief at a time when the state is really struggling.
Minnesotans can apply for Medical Assistance and other state health programs through their local county human service offices.
