EDITORIAL: Feds need to clarify whether they’re offering Minnesota a devil’s bargain
MinnesotaCare covers about 90,000 people who make too much to qualify for Medical Assistance but who would still struggle to buy private insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, state officials tapped into newly available federal dollars to help pay for MinnesotaCare -- a move that eased pressure on the state budget while modernizing the program.
But in the past week, Gov.
While the connection between the two programs is complicated, the federal funding formula for MinnesotaCare involves the cost of private insurance in the individual market, which serves those who do not get coverage through employers or public programs. State Sen.
After months of assurances, Dayton's office learned suddenly about a week ago that accepting federal dollars for the program had turned into a devil's bargain because of the hit to MinnesotaCare. That Price's agency changed course so suddenly when
Regrettably, it is unclear from the letter and Dayton's account of a phone conversation with Price how the waiver approval will affect MinnesotaCare funding. Our initial take is that MinnesotaCare will suffer. Federal officials referred inquiries to state officials, and state officials were still analyzing the letter late Friday.
The lack of clarity and the last-minute maneuvering by Price's agency raises troubling questions about his leadership, the agency's competence and whether the potential cut to MinnesotaCare is punishment because the state took advantage of an ACA opportunity. The secretary, who is embroiled in controversy over his use of private jets, is a prominent opponent of former President
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