[MMA News Now, September 7, 2010] Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter Tuesday requesting $263 million in Medicaid matching dollars that are part of a federal economic stimulus bill passed this summer.

Pawlenty said in the letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that he was requesting the funds because the Medicaid program reflects longstanding Minnesota policy objectives and commitments.

In August, the MMA mounted a grassroots campaign to put pressure on Pawlenty to accept the funds. After the MMA learned in mid-August that Pawlenty was on the fence about accepting the funds, the MMA sent out a statement to the press and an Action Alert to members. More than 100 members responded and wrote letters to the governor calling for him to accept the stimulus funds.