Minn. Senate approves health spending bill
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's Senate has approved a budget for state health and assistance programs that includes a surcharge on HMOs and pay increases for care workers that critics say aren't big enough.
The Senate's Democratic-sponsored health and human services budget bill contains $11.3 billion in spending to provide health care and other services to low-income people.
The Senate approved it on a 36-28 vote just after midnight Friday, after a long day of debating budget bills.
The proposal raises about $80 million from the HMO surcharge over the next two years. That varies from a separate health and human services bill from House Democrats, which has other key differences. Next, lawmakers from both chambers will meet to reconcile differences and agree on a bill to send to Gov. Mark Dayton.
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.