State lawmakers weigh in on federal health care bill

Posted at 1:14 PM on March 17, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate are calling on the state's congressional delegation to reject a federal health care reform bill.

They're also asking the state attorney general to file a lawsuit, if the bill passes, to protect Minnesotans from what they see as an unconstitutional measure. Both requests are included in a resolution that Republicans want considered on the Senate floor Thursday. During a news conference today, Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said the federal bill would impose an unequal tax and take away the right to not buy health insurance.

"There's also a really great premise in our government," Ortman said."It's the premise of divided government, where the state government has its rights and can control the federal government when it's overreaching. And with the federal health care bill, the federal government is proposing unconstitutional actions."

State Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, also sent a message on health care, specifically a harshly-worded letter to Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Emmer, who's a GOP candidate for governor, told Klobuchar that her job is to represent the citizens of Minnesota.

"If you vote for the health care reform bill you have failed in that job," Emmer wrote. "It is reckless to vote for a bill most of you have yet to read and certainly do not fully understand."

Democrats were quick to respond. Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, said the federal health care bill would provide needed insurance protections to many Minnesotans. She described the GOP constitutional claims as "a bunch of baloney."

"We have a partnership with the federal government in many, many area of health care, and Medicare is one of them," Berglin said. "I don't think that violates the constitution."

Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, pointed out the financial implications of the federal bill.

"At at time of record deficits and unemployment, GOP senators are proposing a plan that would cost Minnesota $3 billion," Huntley said. "This national health care legislation is the beginning of real payment reform that will reduce the cost of health care for every Minnesotan."

Comments (1)

The news today is grim: Minnesota median household income has dropped 10.4%, far outstripping the national decline of 2.5%, per analysis from the U of M's School of Public Health.

Meanwhile, families are paying 54% more for their share of employer-provided insurance. And that's if they retained access. We've seen an 8.5% drop in families covered by employer plans.

So hearing of the GOP stunt is perplexing. How will this alleged "state's rights" maneuver help with any of this?

The answer is simple: it won't. As a voter, as a self-paying private insurance customer I have one thing to say to the Minnesota GOP: provide solutions, or shut up.

Posted by Ralf W | March 17, 2010 2:07 PM

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