Hospitals are opting out of new state health plan

[Star Tribune, April 16, 2010] A revamped state health care program for about 37,000 of the poorest and sickest Minnesotans will start June 1. But with funding cut to one-fourth of the projected costs, it appears that only five of 17 qualifying hospitals have agreed to provide the care.

Hospitals that have told legislators that they will not participate include Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, United in St. Paul and Mercy in Coon Rapids.