Governor's Unallotment Will Force More Minnesotans into Ranks of the Uninsured

AARP State Director Michele Kimball released this statement today about the
Governor's budget unallotment announcement

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
statement by AARP State Director Michele Kimball:

"AARP is disappointed in Governor Pawlenty's decision to further cut health
care coverage for Minnesotans by ending the General Assistance Medical
Coverage even sooner than his recent veto. This abrupt cut will force more
Minnesotans into the ranks of the uninsured - and simply shift costs to more
expensive and inefficient emergency rooms."

"Cutting health coverage makes no sense to the taxpayer - and only exacerbates
the health care crisis at a time when the nation is trying to come together to
reform the system and cover more people. It flies in the face of Minnesota's
tradition ofensuring that struggling Minnesotans have access to health care,
especially when the economy is in crisis."

AARP also commented on the Governor's unallotments affecting the renters'
credit:

"Thousands of older renters rely on the renters' credit in order to remain in
their communities and live independently. This cut will disproportionately
affect low-income seniors, who are already at greater risk during an economic
downturn," said Kimball.

The Governor also made unallotments that will affect nursing homes and other
long-term caregivers.

"Our fragile long-term care system is currently on the brink of financial
disaster, and caregivers cannot afford a reduction in payments at this crucial
time," said Kimball. "Reducing payments makes it hard to ensure that our
vulnerable loved ones get adequate staffing - and the right kind of care that
they deserve."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+
have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and
affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates
for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or
candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+
Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million
readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members
and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication
dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website,
AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security,
protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from
thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP Minnesota

Amy Gromer McDonough of AARP Minnesota, +1-651-726-5644 (p), +1-651-492-5837
(cell)