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Supporters plan anew after veto of bill to keep debt out of treatment
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Supporters said Friday that they may try to retool a bill vetoed Thursday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that would prevent a hospital from using information about a patient's medical debt to decide whether to treat the patient.
"I was surprised when we got the veto message, but it sounds like the governor wants some definitions clarified," said Rep. Diane Loeffler, DFL-Minneapolis, a sponsor of the bill. "I think the definitions are widely understood, but we can do more with that."
However, she said, there may not be time to get the measure passed with the session about to end. It most likely would become an amendment to another health care bill, she said.
The push for the bill came from Attorney General Lori Swanson, and Loeffler said she asked Swanson to research possible definitions to satisfy the governor. Under the bill, a health care provider could not share or obtain medical debt information about a patient seeking care until after the care was delivered.
WARREN WOLFE
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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