Ironwood County, like the
rest of the counties in southeastern Minnesota, has been written off by
insurance companies, as evidenced by the recent MNsure site revelations. Higher
insurance rates and few offerings are what every resident in SE MN can look forward
to under the new "affordable care act." The boys at Bill's Café
(those who understand it) had more than a few words to say about this
development.
Jack Kiln was particularly
incensed. "I know this doesn't affect everyone at this table," he
said, "but it makes it a lot more expensive to live here, and if you look deeper into the actual rates that are
filed with the state, they're a lot higher than are listed on the 'what you'll
pay' page."
"I don't
understand," said Bill. "Can't I keep my current insurance?"
"Only if your plan
goes back more than a few years."
Bill scratched his head.
"Hm. I raised my deductible last year."
"Then, as a sole
proprietor of a business, you'll probably have to go to the exchange, or get a
policy that's virtually identical from an agent."
"Then you're saying
that I have only one choice of a plan from one company in Ironwood County?"
"Yes," said Kiln,
"unless something changes quickly."
Joe Johnson leaned on the table, intrigued. "But what about other
counties in southern Minnesota? Are we all written off?"
"Not all, but it's not much better. Some of
them have two companies offering a plan. But even those plans are more
expensive than anywhere else in Minnesota."
"Hold on on
minute," Bill said, now irate. "You're saying that if I move to Rice
County, let's say, a few miles away into south-central Minnesota, that I can get a better rate?"
"Yes," Kiln said.
"Same plan. Same doctors. Less cost."
"So why are we getting
ripped off?"
"No one's giving an
answer," Kiln said. "All we know is that Ironwood and other counties
are the pariahs of the state."
"Isn't this supposed
to be fair and affordable health care?" Joe asked.
"Fair for some," Kiln said.
"Ain't we all one state?" Bill asked. "Isn't this MNsure--not 'Let's cut the counties up for the insurance companies'?
"All I know is
that it is far more expensive in SE MN than anywhere else in the state,"
Kiln said.
Bill scratched his head
again. "So MNsure's Babe the Blue Ox dropped a big pile of excrement onto SE
Minnesota."
"Yep," said Kiln.
