DHS Commissioner to visit southwest Minnesota Friday

New care model will expand health reform efforts, increase quality and lower cost

Contact:
Katie Mintz
Communications
651-431-5605

PDF version of news release

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Lucinda Jesson will meet Friday, Aug. 10, with representatives from Southern Prairie Community Care (SPCC) in Worthington.

SPCC is a collaboration of 12 counties in southwestern Minnesota considering the development of a rural community care system. Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties agreed earlier this year to collectively explore contracting with the state directly, rather than with private, non-profit health plans, to serve area residents enrolled in Minnesota health care programs.

“We’re designing a system that will allow us to more effectively coordinate care and support services with local health care and social service providers,” said Norm Holmen, SPCC board chair and a Cottonwood County commissioner. “We believe this new model will improve health outcomes for our residents and reduce the cost of government health care programs.”

“Increasing the value Minnesotans receive for their health care dollars is a top priority for this administration,” said Jesson. “I applaud the Southern Prairie Community Care initiative for working across county lines to explore a new, more integrated model for rural Minnesota.”  

The meeting is 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 10, at the Worthington Area YMCA, 1501 College Way, in Worthington. Jesson will provide an update of health reform efforts in Minnesota and receive an overview of SPCC’s proposed rural care system model. A discussion of key issues and question-and-answer session will follow. In addition to elected officials and health and human services leaders from the 12 counties, representatives from surrounding counties, members of the business community and media are invited to attend the discussion.