CCHC Asks Gov. Pawlenty not to balance the budget on the backs of the sick

Minneapolis/Saint Paul - Citizens' Council on Health Care today faxed Governor Pawlenty a letter requesting him to reconsider the decision to transfer $250 million from the health care access fund to the general fund for the purpose of balancing the state budget.

The letter states:

"Balancing the state budget on the backs of the sick, the injured, and the dying is a violation of the purpose of the health care access fund, a violation of the promises made by the legislature to doctors and hospitals who must pay the tax and pass the cost on to patients, and importantly, a violation of the public’s trust."

Saying the health care access fund has become a "slush fund," CCHC's president, Twila Brase, writes, "Taxes should not be collected for one purpose and spent for another."

"Every medical service costs 2% more because of the MinnesotaCare provider tax," Ms. Brase adds. "As the cost of health care continues to rise, patients need every health care dollar to meet their own health care needs."

"We request that you do not balance the state budget on the backs of the sick, the injured and the dying," she reiterates.

Twila Brase is president of Citizens' Council on Health Care. She can be reached at 651-646-8935 office.