Legislation Slashing Health Care for Thousands Passes, Legislators Debate Medicaid

Republicans in the Minnesota state Senate have pushed through a healthcare bill that would slash health programs for thousands of Minnesotans. The legislation, authored by Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie/Minnetonka) passed along strict party lines. Hann, chair the Health and Human Services Committee, said that these changes are necessary in light of the state’s looming $5 billion deficit.

In debate on the health care legislation before the vote, Hann said that federal health care assistance plans, like Medicaid, tie the state's hands on health care.