A trio of Minnesota Democrats in Washington joined in Wednesday's launch of a report warning that a GOP plan to cut Medicaid and turn it into a block grant program would harm the state's economy. U.S. Sen. Al Franken, joined by Reps. Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison, said the ripple effect from the proposed cuts would be felt far beyond those who might be denied care. "We all end up paying the price," said Franken, warning of lost jobs, productivity, and business from reduced federal funding. The report, by the consumer advocacy group Families USA, says that as many as 33,490 jobs and as much as $4 billion in state business activity is at risk. "Every federal Medicaid dollar that flows into a state stimulates state business activity and generates jobs," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. A budget austerity proposal sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., calls for cuts of up to 33 percent in the federal health program for the poor and elderly over the next decade.
Minnesota lawmakers issue warning on Medicaid cuts
Say GOP trims would hurt state economy.
June 22, 2011 at 10:11PM
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