Minn. doctors oppose attempt at provider tax

The Minnesota State Senate, considering financing for health care reform, favor taxing providers, while the House favors a general income tax. The Minnesota Medical Association and the Minnesota Hospital Association are fighting the Senate bill, which provides for the medically indigent $200 million a year in health insurance, with funding increased to $1 billion by 1999. A provision requiring certificate of need was eliminated from the bill. Named HealthRight, the law sets premiums for health insurance according to family income.
Minnesota physicians threatened a mass exodus from the state if legislative leaders, locked in debate at AMN press time, agreed on a 2% providers tax to fund a major health [...]