EAGAN, Minn. (PRWEB)
April 24, 2020

Dr. Crutchfield sent a letter to the Governor and several key legislators, The Honorable Melissa Hortman, The Honorable Kurt Daudt, The Honorable Paul Gazelka, The Honorable Susan Kent, The Honorable Michelle Benson, The Honorable John Marty, The Honorable Rena Moran, The Honorable Deb Kiel, asking the Minnesota Care tax to be discontinued. “Having physicians, hospitals, and other caregivers step up to the plate, risk the health of themselves and their families, and then to place a tax on them for so heroically answering the call in this pandemic flies in the face of all that is reasonable, just and fair. It is time to repeal this tax,” states Dr.Crutchfield.

Subject: Request to Eliminate MinnesotaCare Tax during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Governor Walz:

As the former President of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians that backed you for Governor – our first-ever endorsement – thank you for your leadership during this time. As we navigate this crisis, I ask you to please review the equity and fairness of the Minnesota Medical Provider Tax.

Physicians are putting their lives on the line to care for critically ill patients. It seems terribly unfair to tax them while they are doing this or caring for any other patients.

While the recent MinnesotaCare Tax grace period may help clinics like ours already forced to furlough staff, the pandemic reveals the negative impacts of this aged tax once created to fund healthcare for those without coverage. New federal and state initiatives have reduced that need, and while the tax provides coverage for some, its surpluses are used on programs not intended.

The pandemic shows the tax to be a financial and administrative burden on those putting their lives on the line to care for patients afflicted by COVID-19 as well as a cost to patients themselves. It goes against Minnesotan common sense to hit our exhausted medical community with a tax of attainder to pay for a benefit intended for all. No other critical industry, such as farming or construction, faces a targeted tax on those who produce public value.

The MinnesotaCare Tax exclusively hits patients and doctors at a time when they can least endure it. Like other small businesses, independent clinics have suffered enormous losses, and patient avoidance has led to massive layoffs. People needing care of all types are now hit with a tax when scrambling to make ends meet while unemployed or losing their small businesses.

Our clinic conducts skin cancer evaluations, where delay in diagnosis can cost a patient their chance of survival. We’ve already furloughed 40% of our staff and may lay off more if the crisis continues. The MinnesotaCare Tax has worsened this painful circumstance.

Governor Walz, thank you for all you do and for taking the time to read my letter. Please consider my request to dispense with a tax that burdens those giving their best at a time when they can least afford it. I’d be pleased to speak further with you or any member of your staff.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D.

Medical Director

About Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D:

Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., is a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School and a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is currently the Medical Director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan and is a Benedict Distinguished Professor of Biology at Carleton College. Dr. Crutchfield has won numerous teaching and professional awards and is the co-author of a children’s book on sun protection a dermatology textbook and hundreds of medial articles. He is a member of the AΩA National Medical Honor Society, an expert consultant for WebMD and CNN, and a recipient of the Karis Humanitarian Award from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Dr. Crutchfield has over 25 years of clinical experience serving patients. He is the team physician for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves and Lynx professional sports teams. Dr. Crutchfield has over 25 years of clinical experience serving patients.

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