Legislators in the state House and Senate introduced bills this week to create a health insurance exchange in Minnesota, but the actions don't signal a breakthrough on the contentious question of how to comply with the federal overhaul of the nation's health care system.
A bill introduced Thursday in the House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, featured bipartisan support in the form of co-sponsorship from Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston and two other Republicans.
But Davids was clear in saying he thinks the federal legislation is a "scourge," adding that he hopes it will be overturned this year by the U.S. Supreme Court. More broadly, Davids said he wasn't aware of any broad change of heart among Republicans who last year blocked legislation on the subject.
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On Wednesday, Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, introduced a bill in the Senate that's the companion to the Atkins legislation. Both bills embrace recommendations from an advisory board on health exchanges that was created last year by Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat.
But Lourey said he currently has no Republican co-sponsors for his bill. Senate Republicans have not introduced any health exchange legislation of their own.
http://www.twincities.com/legislature/ci_19980461
Hat tip: Pioneer Press
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