The Minnesota Independent

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Minnesota Health Plan advances in Senate, opponents grilled

By Andy Birkey | 02.12.09 | 8:53 am

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Health Plan Act, which would make the state of Minnesota the insurance pool for all residents, passed by a 7-3 margin with no Republican support in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. The bill advances to the Senate, where its odds of passage this year are slim. But the animated debate put into sharp relief views about health care — as a right or a privilege, a community good or a consumer choice.

Medical marijuana bill introduced in the Senate

By Andy Birkey | 01.20.09 | 9:00 am

A bill to allow incurably ill patients to legally purchase marijuana is up for consideration in the Minnesota Senate. The Medical Use of Marijuana bill is nearly identical to a bill that passed the Senate last year and almost passed the House. It enjoys partisan support this year, although last year Gov. Tim Pawlenty indicated he would veto such a bill so long as law enforcement opposed it.