Pawlenty uses veto power to cut health care
MINNEAPOLIS, May 21, 2009 - The 2009 Legislative session ended May 18 with Gov. Tim Pawlenty using his veto power to tear into Minnesota's health care safety net.
Capitol score card
MINNEAPOLIS, May 21, 2009 - The 2009 Legislative Session ended May 18 with Gov. Tim pawlenty saying he would use his veto and unallotment powers to balance the budget. Here is a look at some of the issues the MMA fought for or against on behalf of physicians this session.
Senate leaves door open for sick tax hike
MINNEAPOLIS, April 23, 2009 – Initial House and Senate tax bills introduced Monday and Tuesday left out proposals to increase the provider tax. But there’s still a chance a sick tax hike could sneak into final budget negotiations.
Pawlenty budget shreds safety net, cuts reimbursement
MINNEAPOLIS, January 27, 2009 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a two-year state budget Tuesday that would eliminate health care coverage for tens of thousands of Minnesotans, reduce physician safety-net payments by 3 percent, and eliminate the dedicated Health Care Access Fund – but not the sick tax.
Physician pay mostly flat for 16 years
MINNEAPOLIS, December 18, 2008 - MMA leaders met Monday with top lawmakers as a first step in a campaign to update health care safety-net payment rates that have mostly been flat for 16 years.
Get ready for another tough budget year at the Legislature
MINNEAPOLIS, October 23, 2008 - The state of Minnesota is expected to face a $1 billion plus budget deficit in 2010 and 2011 that could jeopardize health care spending.
Health care reform, point by point
MINNEAPOLIS, May 19, 2008 — The 2008 Legislative Session ended with the passage of historic health care reform supported by the MMA.
How bad was lawmakers' raid on the health care access fund?
MINNEAPOLIS, May 21, 2008 — Not as bad as it would have been without physicians speaking up. Lawmakers ended the 2008 Legislative Session with a budget deal that included a $50 million loan from the Health Care Access Fund and another $18 million of spending that previously came from the general fund.
MMA says No to sick tax in the constitution
MINNEAPOLIS, May 9, 2008 - The MMA is not supporting a bill that was introduced and heard in the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday that would call for a constitutional amendment to dedicate the proceeds of the provider tax to the MinnesotaCare program and to increasing access to care in underserved communities.
Favorable budget compromise moves forward
MINNEAPOLIS, May 5, 2008 - The Minnesota House and Senate budget conference committee approved a compromise that would not raid the Health Care Access Fund nor cut physician payments by 3 percent.