By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Several community leaders gathered in early October to share their stories and expertise with a group of Minnesota State Senators on the impact of the reduction in federal funding to many programs. One of those in attendance was Leota Goondey of Goodney & Etter accountants in Northfield.
The event was focused on discussions about cuts to Federal Funding for healthcare and other regulations. While many discussed the impact the cuts would have on their organizations, Goodney shared the perspective of trying to help her clients and the difficulty it often was to get them insured.
“So I am concerned about that. But for an elder who does not have family or someone like me, there’s just not a lot of help out there. And many elders are getting past being able to deal with computers and choosing on the exchange.” – Leota Goodney, CPA of Goodney & Etter at the 10/9/2025 Senate Hearing in Northfield.
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Goodney shared how a recent event at 50 North, intended to help seniors navigate the insurance exchange, only highlighted the complexity and difficulty of using it. Additionally, she stated that not all issues end once a person is insured, noting that the decline in local healthcare services presents more challenges for seniors, citing one of her clients’ stories as an example:
“But he is now having to travel to Owatonna for the specialist, because the Mayo Clinic in Faribault is no longer offering those services. And he wants to stay with the doctor that he’s got. Again, this is a huge problem for seniors, because transportation for seniors out of the community is difficult.” – Leota Goodney, CPA of Goodney & Etter at the 10/9/2025 Senate Hearing in Northfield.
She noted that the cost of transportation for long-distance health needs was often a cost that was not considered by insurance or the government. Goodney told State Lawmakers that it may be something to consider or find other ways to help reduce transportation.
More Stories in this Series:
Minnesota Senate Holds A Committee Hearing in Northfield on Federal Funding and Healthcare – Read Here
Northfield Hospital CEO Offers Suggestions to State Lawmakers About Rural Healthcare Funding and Policies – Read Here
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