Hamm's actions hurt
N.D.'s clinics, hospitals
LARIMORE, N.D. -- I have been following insurance commissioner Adam Hamm's denial of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Dakota rate increases with interest.
Since he was appointed insurance commissioner just one year ago, Hamm arbitrarily has cut the insurance company's requested premium increases without justification. His cuts appear purely political, and his politics threaten our North Dakota health care system.
Because of these decisions, the state's largest health insurance carrier expects to lose more than $20 million in 2008 alone, not to mention what will happen in 2009.
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If the largest health insurance carrier in our state is losing money, our clinics, hospitals and doctors across the state will not get paid what they need. If our health care providers lose, we all lose. Every North Dakotan will lose regardless of where they buy health insurance.
There's a new medical clinic being built here in Larimore that easily could close its doors soon after it opens. Small hospitals all over the state are on the verge of collapse; our local hospital struggles every year to keep its doors open. Even our biggest hospitals and medical providers are cutting back, closing satellite clinics and putting a freeze on hiring due to inadequate revenue.
Not one of us likes the amount of money we pay for health insurance. But without our premium dollars, the clinic down the street, the hospital down the road or that specialist you visit when you need help will not get paid what they need to operate. They either will close their doors or move out of state.
And over the next four years, that is a very distinct possibility if North Dakotans vote for Hamm. So, please vote to protect our North Dakota health care system and vote for Jasper Schneider.
Jody Kyllo-Paulson
