BACKUS - Health Human and Veterans Services Director Dorothy Opheim reported to the Cass County Board Tuesday South Country Health Alliance has made progress in the last two months toward resuming financial solvency.
Minnesota Department of Health Oct. 21 notified South Country the multi-county cooperative program to provide medical assistance to clients in its counties has been approved to continue operations in 2009.
Commissioner Jim Dowson said the transfer of administrative duties for the northern counties in the cooperative from Blue Cross Blue Shield to South Country's own staff is expected to bring additional cost-savings from this point forward.
He said South Country deficits Minnesota Health Department cited as being at $8 million the end of 2007 have now been reduced to about $2 million.
Cass commissioners Tuesday approved paying the county's May and November shares toward the cooperative of $879,092.
The board recognized Opheim for being chosen this year's recipient of the Barbara O'Grady Excellence in Public Health Leadership Award. She will be presented the award at the Local Public Health Association awards banquet Nov. 19 in New Ulm.
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