Minn. Legislature OKs cuts to health care programs

A budget bill that would slice into projected spending on health care and social services programs is on its way to Gov. Mark Dayton, who opposes the legislation.

The House approved the bill early Thursday on a 69-63 vote, hours after the Senate passed it 36-28 on Wednesday.

The Democratic governor says he will reject individual spending bills until he has a budget deal with the Republican-controlled Legislature. They're still split over taxes and spending with five days left in the regular legislative session.

The health and welfare bill would pare $1.6 billion from projected spending by cutting into services for people with disabilities, welfare supports and health care programs. It would repeal a Medicaid health care expansion for more than 100,000 vulnerable adults that Dayton made a top priority.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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