McCollum Applauds Expansion of Medicaid Health Benefits to 95,000 Vulnerable Minnesotans

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Expansion Made Possible by Federal Health Care Reform Law with No Additional Cost to Minnesota

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) applauds the expansion of Medicaid health care benefits to 95,000 low-income Minnesotans. Governor Mark Dayton signed two executive orders today that will result in an estimated $1.2 billion in federal funding for Minnesota health care providers, clinics, and hospitals. The "early expansion" of Medicaid for the poor is a direct outcome of the new federal health care reform law passed by Congress in 2010.

Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement.

"Expanding Medicaid health benefits to our state's most vulnerable citizens means more efficient health care delivery and cost savings to Minnesota taxpayers. I applaud Governor Dayton for his commitment to meet the health needs of all our citizens while using available federal dollars to strengthen Minnesota's health system.

"While opponents of health care reform - in Washington and Minnesota - attempt to deny quality health care to the American people, I will continue to fight to make health care a right for all Americans."

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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