Minnesota lawmakers from both parties say they want to preserve MinnesotaCare, the state's health care program for the working poor, as the state moves ahead with the next stage of federal health reforms.

States are being asled to set up so-called Basic Health Plans, which would offer health insurance to people whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but would still struggle to pay for private insurance on their own.

"Minnesota is proud to be leading the nation in health care quality and coverage. We hope to continue this progress and our commitment to ensuring access to affordable, high quality, health care coverage for all Minnesotans," lawmakers wrote in a letter dated Jan. 17. "We hope to continue this progress and our commitment to ensuring access to affordable, high quality, health care coverage for all Minnesotans."

The letter: