Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach visited Alluma’s Northwest Apartments in response to a letter from the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives, representing a coalition of organizations across eight counties. The visit focused on shared concerns about the proposed $880 billion in federal budget cuts—targeted through the Energy and Commerce Committee—and their potential impact on Medicaid access in rural Minnesota.
In a region where nearly 30% of residents rely on Medicaid, a rate higher than the state average, cuts to this vital program could jeopardize individual wellbeing and the health of our communities and economies. Mental health and substance use disorder services like those provided by Alluma and its partners rely heavily on Medicaid to reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Community-Led, Community-Focused
The Council of Collaboratives’ letter underscored how Medicaid supports innovative care across rural Minnesota—from integrating mental health providers in schools, to offering peer support for families, to delivering Targeted Case Management services that keep people out of hospitals, jails, and emergency rooms.
Leaders from public health, education, mental health and substance use care, community action, and county services gathered to express a unified message: In rural Minnesota, Medicaid helps us build a safety net that no single organization can provide alone. Our strength comes from working together.
“So many of the people we serve don’t qualify for disability benefits,” said Alluma’s Executive Officer Shauna Reitmeier. Without Medicaid, they lose access to care.” She further noted that with $880 billion in proposed cuts, “it’s hard to see how they will do that without touching Medicaid.”
Reitmeier emphasized that the Northwest Apartments program wouldn’t exist without Medicaid. “Disproportionately, mental health and substance use care depend on that Medicaid expansion to gain access to healthcare,” she added. “When people can’t get the care they need, it often leads to deeper, more costly crises.”
Seeing the Gaps Firsthand
As part of the visit, Congresswoman Fischbach and her team toured the Northwest Apartments facility, which provides supportive housing for individuals in recovery or transitioning between levels of care.
“What used to be an average six-to-nine-month stay has stretched to a year and a half,” explained Amy Hillebrand, Northwest Apartments Supervisor. Reitmeier noted that one contributing factor is the increasing severity of needs: “People are sicker, and there just aren’t enough housing options that offer the right level of care.”
Sometimes, clients who leave Northwest Apartments doing well return later—not because they’ve failed, but because the next safe, affordable, and appropriate housing option isn’t available. As Amy put it, “Sometimes Northwest Apartments is still the best place for them to be safe, well, and supported.”
Resilience Rooted in Rural Values
This meeting wasn’t only about expressing concern but about proposing solutions. Attendees advocated for greater flexibility in administrative processes, more local control, and practical changes that would allow social workers to spend less time on paperwork and more time with people.
Cuts to Medicaid could have a ripple effect, impacting nearly every part of daily life in our communities, from Head Start to long-term care and detox services.
A Shared Commitment
Congresswoman Fischbach’s visit allowed leaders across multiple sectors to speak with one voice, grounded in the belief that every person deserves access to the care they need.
Alluma and its partners are committed to advocating for the people they serve—our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. Rural communities are stronger when we are well, and being well means having access to the care that keeps us connected, hopeful, and resilient.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, please call our 24/7 Support & Crisis Helpline at 1-800-282-5005 or call or text 988.
