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Planning for federal health changes

Published (3/16/2012)
By Sue Hegarty
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Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010, states have been preparing to offer public health care in a competitive market; meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing testimony on the constitutionality of the new legislation.

In addition, Republican candidates for president are vowing to repeal the law if they’re elected in November.

House Majority Leader Matt Dean (R-Dellwood) wants to stay ahead of the curve by having a state plan in place if significant changes occur to the delivery, eligibility or financing of federal Medicaid services. He sponsors HF1918 that would direct the Health, Human Services and Commerce departments to develop a plan to restructure and reform Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and other state health care programs if major federal changes result. A report would be due to the legislature by Dec. 15, 2012.

The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee approved the bill March 14 and referred it to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. It has no Senate companion.

Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) said it’s likely that significant changes would be made to the law anyway and that planning for possibilities would be a waste of finances and human capital.

Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud), committee chairman, said the plan could help legislators in a bipartisan way to know what happens to federal health care laws between when they adjourn this year and return to session next January. Then they would be prepared to have a health care budget discussion, said Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron).

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