Pawlenty executive order aims to ‘keep Obamacare out of Minnesota’

Gov. Tim Pawleny signed an executive order Tuesday afternoon directing state agencies to refuse “all discretionary participation” in the federal healthcare reform law. The order calls the legislation, passed by both houses of Congress and signed by President Obama, “a dramatic attempt to assert federal command and control over this country’s health care system.” According to a Pawlenty press release, the move orders all executive branch departments and agencies “not to submit applications to the federal government in connection with requests for grant funding for programs and demonstration projects deriving from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Governor’s office.”

“This executive order will stop Minnesota’s participation in projects that are laying the groundwork for a federally-controlled healthcare system,” Pawlenty said in a statement.

The order states, “[M]y Administration has determined Minnesota will not participate in the early expansion of the Medicaid entitlement program offered by the federal government as part of the legislation.” Last week Democratic leaders in the state legislature urged Pawlenty to accept $236 million in federal Medicare funds. He hasn’t decided if he will yet.

Pawlenty, widely thought to be mulling a presidential run in 2012, has also turned down $850,000 in free federal funding for comprehensive sex-education programs (he prefers a program whereby the state can receive a $505,000 grant for abstinence education after fronting $380,000 of its own) and $1 million in federal funding for Minnesota’s health insurance rate reviews.

Read the order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10-12

DIRECTING STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

REGARDING DISCRETIONARY PARTICIPATION

IN THE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAW

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable laws do hereby issue this executive order:

WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA” or “the Act”) (Pub.L. 111-148) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the Act represents a dramatic attempt to assert federal command and control over this country’s health care system, which accounts for one-sixth of our nation’s economy, thereby reducing individual freedom for health care decisions; and

WHEREAS, the Act includes unprecedented federal intrusions into individual liberty, including the mandate that individual citizens are compelled to purchase health insurance under penalty of law; and

WHEREAS, the Act was passed with massive new spending commitments at a time when the growing federal government debt threatens private sector economic growth; and

WHEREAS, the revenue to pay for the Act is based on increased taxes and fees coupled with unrealistic assumptions regarding purported future cost-savings; and

WHEREAS, this legislation includes a multitude of programs and demonstration projects intended to speed the transition to federally-controlled health care; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Laws of Minnesota 2010, 1^st Special Session, Chapter 1 (Special Session Chapter 1) my Administration has determined Minnesota will not participate in the early expansion of the Medicaid entitlement program offered by the federal government as part of the legislation; and

WHEREAS, consistent with this determination and in recognition of my obligations to protect Minnesota’s sovereign interests and those of its citizens, the boundary between state and federal government must be maintained to prevent an unwise and unsustainable federal takeover of health care in our State.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order that:

All executive branch departments and agencies are directed that no application shall be submitted to the federal government in connection with requests for grant funding for programs and demonstration projects deriving from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA” or “the Act”) (Pub.L. 111-148) unless otherwise required by law, or approved by the office of the Governor.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 4.035, subdivision 2, this Executive Order will be effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and will remain in effect in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 4.035, subdivision 3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 31st day of August, 2010.

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