The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is at odds with Governor Pawlenty over his opposition to the federal health care overhaul.
The Republican-friendly organization asked the GOP Governor to apply for a $1 million planning grant to study a potential health insurance exchange where consumers could buy medical coverage. Chamber President David Olson tells WCCO Radio news they want to determine the impact of such an exchange on businesses. But the governor rejected the request. Olson says Pawlenty’s decision is disappointing, but they’ll try to figure out the impact of a health insurance exchange without the federal money. Pawlenty has ordered state agencies to decline “discretionary” involvement in the federal health care reform law unless required by law or approved by his office.
