Kandiyohi County to pay some health care premiums

A west-central Minnesota county is taking steps to help some of its poorest and sickest residents from slipping through the health care cracks.

The Kandiyohi County Board agreed Tuesday to pay a $4 per-person monthly insurance premium to enroll the low-income adults in MinnesotaCare for six months. They had previously qualified for General Assistance Medical Care, a more comprehensive program the state cut in a budget move.

The West Central Tribune of Willmar reports that most neighboring counties have taken similar action to pay the premiums.

Commissioner Richard Larson says that if Kandiyohi County doesn't pay the premiums now, people could get sicker and require more health care that will cost the county more money later. ---

Information from: West Central Tribune

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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