Senate agrees on health care reform package

The Minnesota Senate gave final approval today to a bill to revamp the state's health care system.

The measure designed to make both private and public health programs more accessible, affordable and effective passed today by a vote of 39 to 23. The bill also brings Minnesota within a few percentage points of universal health care coverage.

The bill's author Senator Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, said the state will face serious consequences if a health care reform measure doesn't become law.

"In a few short years we'll see health care costs in this state grow to $57 billion. We'll see fewer and fewer doctors going into primary care, which will strip the rural areas of this state of the resources they need to receive health care," Berglin said.

Governor Tim Pawlenty has said he would not support the bill in its current form.

The House is finalizing its health care reform bill this week. A floor vote in the House could come next week.

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