Gov candidates talk health care in Rochester debate
Health care issues took center stage today in Rochester, where the three-major party candidates for governor met for their latest debate.
DFL candidate Mark Dayton said if he's elected, he would reverse Gov. Tim Pawlenty's policy and quickly authorize Minnesota's participation in an expanded federal Medicaid program.
Pawlenty has blocked efforts to bring in the available federal Medicaid money, noting that the state would have to match some of the money. Pawlenty has also argued that the program could become unaffordable in the future.
But Dayton said it would save the state money, stabilize hospitals and and provide care to thousands of uninsured Minnesotans.
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"Here's an opportunity to get almost seven times the return on the dollar," Dayton said. "It's really about the easiest, most common sense decision the next governor could make, and I'll sign it on day one."
Republican Tom Emmer said he agreed with Pawlenty's decision to block the early Medicaid opt-in. He also said he wants to eliminate the health care provider tax that currently pays for the state-subsidized MinnesotaCare health insurance program for the working poor.
After the event, Emmer said he thinks the state can do a better job meeting health care needs by growing the economy, not taxing providers.
"I mean they call it a provider tax, but what it really is is a tax on the people who are seeking the care," Emmer said. "I think it's a bad idea."
Independence Party candidate Tom Horner said he too would take the federal money to expand health care access.
Just before the debate, Horner added former IP governor Jesse Ventura to his list of supporters. Horner said Ventura came to the same conclusion as former GOP governors Al Quie and Arne Carlson.
"The next four years demand a different kind of leadership," Horner said. "Moving sideways will not work for Minnesota. We have to move forward."
Horner said Ventura will campaign with him in the coming days, but no events have yet been scheduled.
The hour-long event was sponsored by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.