Minn. Chamber urges Pawlenty to seek health grant

Article by: Associated Press
Updated: September 2, 2010 - 3:43 PM

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ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is urging Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty not to turn his back on the federal health care overhaul.

The Republican-friendly organization sent the governor a letter Monday encouraging him to apply for a $1 million planning grant to research and analyze a potential health insurance exchange where consumers could buy medical coverage.

A day later, Pawlenty ordered state agencies to decline "discretionary" involvement in the federal law unless required by law or approved by his office. He also passed on applying for the insurance planning grant.

Democrats distributed the letter from Chamber President David Olson on Thursday. Since Pawlenty's order, a chorus of groups including Democrats and nursing and doctors associations have been calling on Pawlenty to seek discretionary federal health care dollars.