Senate approves health funding bill with cuts
Eds: APNewsNow. UPDATES with Senate approval of health and human services bill. Will be led.
By ELIZABETH DUNBAR
Associated Press Writer
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate has approved a funding bill for health and welfare programs for the poor that cuts everything from dental care assistance to the size of payments to hospitals.
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The vote on Monday was 40-23 in favor of the bill, with five Democrats joining most Republicans in voting against it.
Sponsor Sen. Linda Berglin, a Democrat from Minneapolis, says the plan makes cuts to help balance the budget without changing eligibility requirements that would cut people off of health care programs.
The House is still debating its bill funding health and welfare programs. The bills set up a starting point for negotiations with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has also proposed cuts.
