As with all states in the nation today, Minnesota is struggling to balance their sinking state budget with programs designed to offer affordable health insurance to citizens who desperately need it.

Last week, a bill that could change their health care system - offering affordable health insurance to thousands of Minnesotans - cleared the House legislature 83-50.

However, according to the Star Tribune, Governor Tim Pawlenty feels that their state just can't afford it, and may veto the bill when it gets to his desk.

If it was approved, the bill would start with a statewide campaign designed to reduce smoking and obesity, and offer public information on the costs and quality of doctor and hospital services.

It would also expand eligibility for MinnesotaCare to another 40,000 people. MinnesotaCare is the state funded insurance program for the working poor that provides free or more affordable health insurance.

Pawlenty would prefer to use some of the funding that would have gone to the bill to balance the state budget. According to the article, Pawlenty complained at a news briefing that they were "having a hard time paying for the [budget items] we have, much less adding the new ones."

Hopefully upcoming elections will prove useful for those citizens searching for affordable health insurance all over the country.