By Pat Doyle

DFLers Sen. Linda Berglin, Rep. Erin Murphy and Rep. Thomas Huntley are planning to travel to Washington tonight to deliver a message to members of Congress from their party: give Minnesota some leeway on reforming health care.

Huntley said Monday that the state has begun some changes in health care policy that deserve to be continued regardless of the federal legislation that emerges from Congress. He cited creating homes for the chronically ill as an example of a recent change in Minnesota that shouldn't be disrupted by new federal requirements.

"I"m hoping Minnesota is allowed the flexibility that it needs," he said.

The trio will meet with members of Congress and the White House on Tuesday and Wednesday.

They'll also argue that any provision for buying health insurance from companies in other states should include Minnesota regulation.