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State Representative Tim Kelly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8635
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS COLUMN
FEDERAL AND STATE HEALTH PLANS – A STARK CONTRAST
In the past week, we have seen two separate health care proposals approved in Washington and St. Paul, and the circumstances surrounding the passing of that legislation could not have been more different.
Let me put it a better way: The folks in Congress could learn a lesson from Republicans and Democrats in St. Paul, as our recent health insurance debate provides a case study in how two political parties can work together for the greater good.
The Legislature recently approved a nation-leading reform plan that will replace the antiquated General Assistance Medical Care program, which provides health insurance to our lowest income citizens. This plan came together because a House Republican and Democrat lawmaker put their partisan differences aside and focused on what was most important: People, not the program. With that example, the body followed their lead and worked together.
In doing so, they managed to craft a viable health care solution for the poorest of the poor while saving Minnesota taxpayers more than $700 million. It was a plan I was pleased to work on and support.
Contrast this with the outrage coming out of Washington these days with the National Health Care proposal. Here was a nearly $1 trillion plan put together behind closed doors by Democratic leaders only. Rather than starting over with a new health plan and insisting that the minority party make the proposal better - as we did in Minnesota - the Democrats decided to do it alone. The result is a country divided, with many wondering how this plan will eventually impact their current health insurance, and most importantly in this time of economic uncertainty, their wallets.
I’m proud of the work the Minnesota Legislature did on our low income health care initiative. This is exactly the type of problem solving measure that I wanted to be a part of in coming to St. Paul. This is what happens when the will of the people triumphs over the wants of the party bosses. While we can now cross this issue off our to-do list and concentrate on the budget, I expect lawmakers in Washington to argue over the current fiasco they have created for many months to come.
News Items
- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES SHAPING IMPORTANT BILLS AT LEGISLATURE - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
- TAX RELIEF AND JOB CREATION BILL APPROVED IN MINNESOTA HOUSE - (Posted: 2012-03-22 00:00:00)
- MORE GOOD NEWS FOUND IN LATEST STATE BUDGET FORECAST - (Posted: 2012-03-06 00:00:00)
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