With large state deficit and budget battle looming, the MMA will need a strong showing of physicians at the MMA Day at the Capitol February 5 to protect public health spending, safety net programs, and the Health Care Access Fund.

MINNEAPOLIS, March 27, 2008 - The health and human services budget bill  introduced Wednesday by Senate DFL leaders was a mixed bag for physicians, since it protected the Health Care Access Fund but proposed a cut in provider reimbursement.

MINNEAPOLIS, March 7, 2008 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty recommended Friday using $300 million from the Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) in the next year and cutting $187 from health care programs to help address a nearly $1 billion shortfall.

MINNEAPOLIS, December 14, 2007 - House Republican Leader Marty Seifert unveiled a set of initiatives at a press conference Tuesday that favored a free market-based approach to providing health care in Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS, 9:45 a.m. CST April 24, 2007 -- After an all night debate Friday, the Minnesota House passed the health and human services budget bill Saturday that aims to cover at least 50,000 uninsured children.

MINNEAPOLIS, 5:10 a.m. CST March 14, 2007 -- A bill calling for the state to establish an Health Care Access Fund oversight committee passed the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS, Updated 10:51 a.m. CST February 9, 2007 -- House lawmakers introduced a bill Monday calling for a commission that would oversee spending from the Health Care Access Fund (HCAF), which receives revenues from the 2 percent provider tax, also known as the sick tax.

MINNEAPOLIS, Updated 9:36 a.m. CDT August 24, 2006 -- Minnesota physicians have submitted approximately 60 resolutions for the MMA House of Delegates to consider at this year’s September 14 and 15 in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, Updated 3:09 p.m. CDT April 11, 2006 -- MMA President David Luehr testified Monday about a proposal that would try to eliminate the sick tax surplus and spend it at the same time.