Dayton Says Minnesota Working With Feds On Health Care

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius say they're working together on Minnesota's participation in the federal health care overhaul.

The Democratic governor says his administration will have more to say later this week about how fast it will extend Medicaid health care to 95,000 vulnerable adults. Dayton ordered the expansion less than 48 hours after taking office.

Dayton spoke on a conference call hosted by Sebelius on Tuesday.

Sebelius says Minnesota will get more time to seek a $1 million planning grant for a state health insurance exchange program after former Gov. Tim Pawlenty decided not to apply. The Republican limited the state's participation in the health care law to illustrate his opposition.

Dayton says the grant is a "huge opportunity."

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