ST. PAUL  (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton is deepening Minnesota's participation in the federal health care overhaul.

The Democratic governor is set to sign an executive order on Wednesday that will expand the Medicaid program for vulnerable adults.

Dayton's predecessor, Republican Tim Pawlenty, had declined the expansion because he opposes the health care law. Republicans who lead the Legislature are also wary of the move because it requires additional general fund dollars in a time of deficits.

But Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter says Minnesota will come out roughly even on the expansion when all state health care costs and savings are accounted for.

The Medicaid expansion will funnel more than $1 billion to medical providers while covering 12,000 uninsured adults and improving coverage for tens of thousands more.

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

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