A compromise to continue health coverage for about 37,000 poor Minnesotans, hammered out last month between legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, suffered a major blow when Hennepin County commissioners rejected the state's terms. While they didn't rule out participation by their hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center, commissioners said they need a better deal for taking on 10,000 or so poor patients in the revamped General Assistance Medical Care program, scheduled to start June 1. Without participation by HCMC, the biggest provider for these patients, the new program might fail, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
