Minn. Governor's letters detail plans to implement health law, exchange

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton sent letters to HHS Sec. Kathleen Sebelius and Republican leaders in his state Tuesday saying that he is moving forward with implementing the health law -- including the formation of a health insurance exchange -- even though GOP leaders there are in a holding pattern.

Minnesota Public Radio: Dayton: MN Is Moving Forward With Health Insurance Exchange
Gov. Dayton sent letters to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and GOP legislative leaders saying his administration is moving forward with creating a state-based health insurance exchange. "We will seize the historic opportunities to improve the quality and affordability of health care afforded us by new law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, whose constitutionality has now been affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court," Dayton wrote to Sebelius (Scheck, 7/10).

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Dayton Makes Plans For State To Implement Health Care Law
While some states are opting out of President Obama's health care programs, Gov. Mark Dayton wanted it known Tuesday that he's all-in. "I write to reiterate the State of Minnesota's intention to continue the planning and development" of a state-based version of the federal health care act, Dayton wrote in a letter to the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. "We will seize the historic opportunities to improve the quality and affordability of health care afforded us by the new law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, whose constitutionality has now been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court" (Brooks, 7/10).

(St. Paul) Pioneer Press: Dayton Reiterates Plans For Health Insurance Exchange
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton sent a letter to Republican legislators Tuesday, July 10, asking them to participate in planning for a health insurance exchange -- a key provision of the federal health care law. But a key Senate leader on health care issues Tuesday night said he continues to think Republicans should not engage the planning effort until voters get the chance to weigh in on the health law during elections this November. Republicans are promising to repeal the law if they take control of Congress and the White House (Snowbeck, 7/10).