Republicans hoping to ask Congress for the authority to join a health care compact are denied by a gubernatorial veto.
“This bill would be a drastic departure from our current system of shared state and federal responsibility for delivering health care services,” Gov. Mark Dayton wrote in his veto letter.
Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) and Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) sponsor the bill, which may have resulted in Minnesota requesting that Congress return Medicaid contributions to be managed by the state, without federal oversight.
Opponents said the bill was propagated by the American Legislative Exchange Council, an association for conservative state lawmakers. Gottwalt said ALEC is not the reason he sponsors the bill and that Minnesota could receive $13.5 billion as a block grant to design its own health care system. Compact states would presumably then opt out of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
“Far beyond any objection to the federal Affordable Care Act, this bill asserts the notion that the federal government has no authority for health policy whatsoever,” Dayton wrote. “Regrettably, this Legislature has almost completely ignored the very real opportunity to assert greater control over our health care system by establishing a state-level health insurance exchange.”
HF2339/
SF1933*/CH256
A positive balance
Omnibus health care law focuses on reform, restoring cuts and delaying pending cuts
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Looking out for children and families
Law offers new safe haven option for newborns; addresses adoption and child safety
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Caring for those who care for others
Omnibus health and human services bill remains a moving target
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
Nursing home funding models
Should residents who can afford to, pay more?
(view full story)
Published 3/23/2012
Minnesota Index: Smoking in the state
Facts and statistics on tobacco use in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
Reform measures draw support
Health and human services reductions draw sharp DFL rebuke
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Delivery of health and human services
Governor says proposal puts too many people in health care jeopardy
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Surgical precision
HHS budget — end-of-session sticking point
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Advocating for patients and constituents
Nurses as legislators add their perspective to health care issues
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2011
Aiming for reform
House approves omnibus health and human services finance bill
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Omnibus game and fish bill approved
Deer hunting, two-line fishing provisions push people’s buttons
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Care for underserved communities
Community paramedic program is a ‘first of its kind’ proponents say
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
A hand up in climb out of poverty
Bipartisan initiative looks to fund expansion of ‘Circles of Support’ program
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Feature: A healthier Minnesota
Long-term savings the goal of statewide improvement plan
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
At Issue: No access for all
Report says more oversight needed of state-funded non-emergency transportation
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011