Republicans will try to halt early MA expansion

By McKenzie Martin

Despite the threat of a gubernatorial veto, Republican state Sen. David Hann said Friday he will have the first hearing next week on his proposal to block the state from expanding its involvement in the federal Medicaid program.

"We think it's our job to pass things that we think make sens

e as a legislature and put those in front of the governor and give him the opportunity to make his decision on whether he supports that or not," said Hann, who chairs the senate's Health and Human Services Committee.

Dayton followed through on his campaign pledge to sign the order immediately after taking office and later said he'd veto an attempt to derail the effort. Republicans said during the campaign they would do everything they could to stop the program's expansion, trying to tie it to the national debate over health care reform.

Hann's proposal would prevent the early enrollment and would put a stop to any state funding for the program. He said he plans to press forward, regardless of the governor's opposition.

"We'll just see what he does," said Hann, of Eden Prairie.

Hann said the federal health care bill steps outside the role of the federal government by mandating state action in a time when the state needs more flexibility. He said the federal government is returning state taxpayer dollars "with considerable strings attached."