Update on GAMC

Month-long Extension of Program Is Welcomed, Still More Work to Do

Today the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced that they will extend General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) through the end of March; GAMC was originally expected to end March 1. Read the Department of Human Services press release. Read more about GAMC and the alliances formed to save it in this MinnPost article by Casey Selix.

Cabrini Partnership Executive Director Mary Morris said, “The action taken today to extend GAMC for one month is a welcome relief to Cabrini Partnership clients who count on this coverage. But we continue to focus on restoring funding for GAMC. We especially want to encourage those who care about this issue to come to the rally at the Capitol on February 4th to bring our message that we cannot turn our backs on the most vulnerable within our communities. Eliminating funding for GAMC may seem like it saves money, but the cost to our hospitals and community clinics and the impact on public safety will be far more expensive.”

Last week Cabrini Partnership sponsored a Save GAMC educational event. A panel of speakers presented on the issue including Anne Quincy, attorney, Legal Assistance; Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County commissioner; Michael B. Belzer, MD, medical director and chief medical officer, HCMC; Michael Holland, assistant public defender, Hennepin County; Father Mike Tegeder, St. Edwards Church; Patrick Ness, public policy manager, Catholic Charities and others. Several legislators and individuals who are on GAMC attended.

At the event, Ann Lenczewski reminded the audience to think of short-term and long-term solutions surrounding GAMC. In ten months, the next governor of Minnesota will be in office and will set the path for GAMC.

Stay tuned for additional news.