Minnesota Panel To Hear Update On Expanding Medicaid

ST. PAUL -- A panel led by Democrats who lost their majorities in the Minnesota Legislature awaits an update on one of their last successes on Tuesday.

The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy's agenda includes early expansion of Medicaid health care for the poor under the federal health care overhaul.

Democratic Gov.-elect Mark Dayton has said he will sign paperwork for the expansion as one of his first acts of office next month.

A law passed by the current Legislature and departing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty gives the new governor until Jan. 15 to enroll the state in the expanded program. Pawlenty declined to do so.

The early Medicaid expansion will bring more than $1 billion in federal dollars into the state's health care system, but also
requires state spending.

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