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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
IT’S TIME TO STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH GAMC
Governor Pawlenty continues to play politics with General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) and expects the legislature to blink once again. Today, he issued a letter threatening to do what his goal has been all along -- namely, to balance the state budget by dropping health care coverage for tens of thousands of the most vulnerable Minnesotans and inflicting more damage to hospitals across the state.
Minnesotans should stand up to his threats and bullying. Because of the federal health care reform bill passed and signed this week, another more reasonable solution exists.
The legislature and Governor should agree to extend GAMC until June, 2010; something already contemplated in the "compromise." Then, in the next few weeks, a new, workable proposal to serve those currently served by GAMC can be crafted, using the new federal dollars to the extent possible. The proposal can be developed in an open and transparent process that includes the providers who actually serve these patients.
It has become clear that the GAMC "compromise" will not work. We've heard that from hospitals and other providers from all across the state. We have heard that from advocates for the clients currently served under GAMC. We should not enact bad public policy simply because of a "deal" reached behind closed doors.
The federal health care reform bill passed this week allows Minnesota the opportunity to get an immediate 50% federal match to serve the people now covered under GAMC. The details and implications of that proposal need to be explored, but it is not an option that should be rejected out of hand as the Governor proposes.
We need to set aside politics and solve this problem for Minnesotans.
News Items
- DFL Leaders Eager to Confront Minnesota’s Challenges with Focus on Economy and Middle Class - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 2:21PM)
- State Representative John Persell appointed Majority Whip - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 1:11PM)
- Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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