State lawmakers hear St. Joseph's Auxiliary representatives

A delegation from St. Joseph's Area Health Services Auxiliary championed local health care causes when they visited with area legislators in St. Paul last Wednesday.

Auxiliary volunteers statewide who are passionate about quality healthcare for hospitals and long-term care facilities brought nearly 100 voices from the Health Care Auxiliary of Minnesota (HCAM) for a "Legislative Day at the Capitol." St. Joseph's Auxiliary representatives including Sharon Mortrud, Mary Jane Lentsch, Carol Smith, Marylen Veden, Kay Smythe, Carol Machovsky, and Kay Naeve shared St. Joseph's story with lawmakers.

Together they advocated on behalf of health care in the region and let State Senator Rod Skoe, Rep. David Hancock, and Rep. Kent Eken know how cuts would impact access to care for our most vulnerable.

"People without health care will still get sick and be forced to access care in the Emergency Department which is the most expensive place to get care," said Machovsky, St. Joseph's Auxiliary president.

The auxiliary also noted cuts would affect jobs in our community.

Machovsky said auxiliary members did a great job of stressing the importance that "budget cuts must be shared" in all areas of state spending, not just in regard to health care.

Protection for older adult services, nursing homes and assisted living establishments provide vital resources for another vulnerable population in the region and throughout the state, auxiliary members noted. Cuts in spending for older adult services will impact their care, take away jobs and have negative economic impact for communities.

Mortrud additionally urged legislators to continue adequate funding for the Medical Education and Research Costs program.