Dayton Gets Minnesota Bill Expanding Medicaid Rolls

ST. PAUL (AP) - A plan adding more than 35,000 people to government-subsidized health insurance rolls in Minnesota is headed to Gov. Mark Dayton's desk.

The state Senate voted 45 to 22 on Thursday to approve the Medicaid expansion. As part of the nation's new health care law, the federal government has promised to pay the full bill for the extra enrollees for the next few years. The state would assume 10 percent of the cost by 2020.

The change actually affects 87,000 low-income people because some participants in other state insurance programs would be shifted to the more generous plan. Medical Assistance is the Minnesota version of Medicaid.

Democrats argued it was too good of a deal to pass up while Republicans said the federal government's shaky finances make it a big risk.