Local hospital leaders ask for help to stop healthcare cuts

Leaders from four local hospitals—Astera Health, CHI St. Joseph’s Health, Lakewood Health System, and Perham Health—are speaking out. They are asking people in our communities to talk to lawmakers about big budget cuts that could hurt rural healthcare.

These cuts to federal and state programs could have serious effects on hospitals in small towns like Park Rapids, Perham, Staples, and Wadena. Hospital CEOs Joel Beiswenger (Astera Health), Ben Koppelman (CHI St. Joseph’s Health), Lisa Bjerga (Lakewood Health System), and Chuck Hofius (Perham Health) want people to know how these changes could hurt patients, hospitals, and the entire community.

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a government program that helps people pay for healthcare. Each state runs its own Medicaid program; in Minnesota it is called Medical Assistance....

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