Group recommends health plan; Pawlenty opposed
A task force appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to require all Minnesotans to get health insurance by 2011. One obstacle: Pawlenty himself.
The governor renewed his stance against a health insurance mandate on Tuesday as he presented the group's recommendations - which also include a cigarette tax increase he opposes.
Pawlenty says the state can move toward insuring everyone without penalties for the uninsured.
At a Capitol news conference, he also said the government has burdened smokers enough with higher tobacco taxes and the statewide smoking ban. Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they hope to move toward cutting medical costs and improving the system when the legislative session starts next week.
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