Minn. medical program may survive 1 more month

The more than 30,000 Minnesotans enrolled in a canceled state health care program for poor, childless adults may get to stay on the program for another month.

The Department of Human Services says in a letter to legislative leaders dated Thursday that there may be sufficient funding to continue the program past the March 1 deadline.

Cutting funding to the General Assistance Medical Care program was part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's fix for a state deficit. Pawlenty used an executive authority called unallotment to make the cuts without the Legislature's approval.

Minnesota hospitals are concerned that cutting the program will result in millions of dollars in lost revenue, and even more in additional costs as they continue treating former GAMC patients without reimbursement.

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