Pawlenty urges Minn. delegation to 'abandon' health reform bill

Gov. Tim Pawlenty outlined his concerns about a health care reform bill Tuesday in a letter he sent to the state's Congressional delegation.

Pawlenty said the proposed federal health care legislation fails to link quality and cost to any real value for consumers. The Republican governor is also strongly opposed to any tax increases or additional deficit spending to pay for the bill.

Pawlenty wrote that the flawed attempt would do little to solve the health care crisis facing the nation and encouraged members of the Minnesota delegation to abandon the bill.

Last week, Pawlenty went on Fox News and described the plan as a joke and a scam. The state DFL party responded, accusing Pawlenty and other Republicans of trying to halt any reform in an attempt to score political points against President Obama.