A Minnesota judge has decided against stepping into a dispute over an expiring government health program for the poor. An attorney for patients who will see changes to their subsidized coverage says Judge Kathleen Gearin didn't grant a restraining order to stop Governor Tim Pawlenty's administration from phasing out General Assistance Medical Care.
The judge's order wasn't immediately available, but attorney Ann Quincy says Gearin didn't want to disturb good-faith negotiations. The ruling adds greater pressure on lawmakers as they try to find a way to maintain health coverage for more than 30,000 low-income adults.
Legislative Democrats were shuttling in and out of Pawlenty's office on Friday. The state was planning to start the process of shifting those people to a premium-based health plan on Saturday.
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