President and CEO Steve Underdahl discussed the state of health care last week on KYMN. He said, “the lack of certainty and the lack of a cogent direction in some ways grinds things to a halt”. As a healthcare industry they can respond to policy changes as they happen. But now the signals are unclear. Immediately after the election, Underdahl said the “healthcare intelligencia” were saying they thought there would be some changes but the trajectory of healthcare policy will be somewhat similar. The analysts are now unsure. Underdahl said, “and so I’m a little afraid,
candidly, that there will be an absence of cogent strategy and it could go Lord of the Flies”. Underdahl says the mission of hospitals is different than those of clinics in that they don’t turn away someone in need. What concerns him is that this will transfer the responsibility for looking after folks to hospitals rather than a health care policy. Part of the challenge is they’re not getting full reimbursement for the actual costs of care. He said the whole system has been built on cost-shifting, the many pay for the few. Underdahl said the shifting has become too dramatic and is collapsing. He said, “I”m concerned that there’s a real limit to how much I can shift that cost to keep the doors open to you”. There are some things the State legislature is trying to do to help alleviate the problem but it’s not sustainable long term.
The Auxiliary Book Fair sets a new record!
The Northfield Auxiliary was able to buy a van this year for the Hospital’s long term care center. President and CEO Steve Underdahl said it has lifts, can accommodate a number of wheelchairs and has new safety features. It will allow residents to get out more. Committee member Mary Schwake said the 56th Annual Book Fair was another terrific, record-setting success! They sold over $65,000 worth of, mostly books, but also DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, sheet music, music books and more. She said that’s about a $4,000 increase over last year and a new 
record. While they do have expenses, they’ll clear enough to handle an installment on the van, they awarded 12 one thousand dollar scholarships to HS graduates or adults that are pursuing a career in healthcare, and other donations will be made too such as Healthfinders, Thursdays Table… They’ve pledged to pay for the van over two years at $30,000 a year.
Martig “exceeds expectations
The Northfield City Council met last night. They held a closed session regarding the performance review and salary increase of Administrator Ben Martig. Mayor Rhonda Pownell said that Martig has met “and exceeded expectations and has done a fantastic job”. Martig said it’s been a great transition with an engaged community, a vibrant city and he’s pleasantly surprised at the quality of staff. He’s settling in after a year and looking forward to bringing the Strategic Plan into implementation. He and his family are now in the process of buying a home here now that school is out for his kids and they’ve moved to town. Martig will receive a 2.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase retroactive to May 2nd. His and Pownell’s interview is on kymn.net.
I-35 overnight work in Owatonna
Tonight I-35 south of Owatonna will be stopped for 15 minute periods while crews place bridge beams. From 10pm to 4 tomorrow morning, except delays. There are 5 beams that must be placed. The State Patrol will be on hand for traffic management. This is part of an overall project south of Owatonna where 10 bridges are being replaced over 2 years on I-35 and Hwy 14. The area is single lane through September.
