Health Bill Future Uncertain

Minnesota Senators are scheduled to take up a large health care reform bill again when lawmakers return to session after the Easter Break. The bill was a product of the Governor's Task Force on Health Care Transformation and the House/Senate Health Access Committee and was scheduled for debate last Wednesday. Fort Ripley State Senator Paul Koering said all parties had doubts about the final bill, Republicans, Democrats and the Governor's office. Koering said he's on the Access Committee and he signed onto the bill as an author because he believed the committee did good work and came up with good recommendations. Koering said if the bill is not something the Governor is willing to sign, it makes no sense to continue on the current path. Koering said no matter what happens to this bill, something has to be done because health care costs continue to rise.