Pawlenty: No early Medicaid expansion for Minn.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Minnesota won't sign up to expand Medicaid health coverage for poor adults.

A news release from Pawlenty's office Tuesday said a new state law required the governor to make a decision, though his opposition to the measure was widely known.

Pawlenty says the expansion would cost the state $430 million over three years without clarity on how the federal government can sustain the program. The health care overhaul requires all states to offer Medicaid coverage to low-income adults starting in 2014.

Minnesota is one of several states eligible for an early expansion.

Pawlenty's successor can still opt for the expansion in January. Four of five major gubernatorial candidates have said they would.

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