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State Representative Leon Lillie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1188
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
NEWS COLUMN
RESTORING GAMC IS A MORAL AND FISCAL IMPERATIVE
Matthew 25:40 reads, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do also for Me."
I take those words to heart – particularly in the decisions I make at the state Capitol. For me, that passage has never meant more than it did this week as the House voted to restore health care for Minnesota’s poorest, sickest people.
As you may know, last session General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) was eliminated by line-item veto. That one veto cut $381 million from our hospitals and eliminated basic care for 38,000 Minnesotans earning less than $8,000 per year. It was an unconscionable and fiscally irresponsible decision.
Eighty percent of GAMC enrollees have mental health issues, and 60 percent have chronic medical conditions. Eight thousand are veterans, now struggling with mental illness, chemical dependency, and homelessness. Our state is morally compelled to care for these individuals – and we have a fiscal responsibility to find the most cost-effective way to do it.
That’s why Democrats and Republicans worked all summer to find a solution for covering this population that would be signed into law. Hours of negotiations produced an even better product than what we had before. In fact, the bill (HF2680) provided coverage to Minnesota’s most vulnerable at a much lower price.
Because it incorporated ideas from both sides, and saved taxpayers money, the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 125-9.
Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed. Instead, the administration is opting for a plan that would enroll former GAMC recipients in MinnesotaCare – a health care program for low-income working families. But that plan won’t work.
Enrolling GAMC patients in MinnesotaCare is kind of like trying to put a square peg in a round hole – except it’s more expensive. In fact that plan would provide care to 21,000 Minnesotans per month at a cost of $937 per enrollee for only six months. And putting all of those GAMC patients into MinnesotaCare would kick 20,000 working families out.
Compare that to the bipartisan legislative solution passed just a few weeks ago. HF2680 would provide care to 38,000 per month at a cost of $457 per enrollee for 16 months. And it would let 20,000 working families keep their MinnesotaCare. By every measure, it was the right thing to do.
Still the Governor vetoed the bill. In addition to costing more, the auto enrollment plan will now shortchange area hospitals. Take, for instance, Regions Hospital in St. Paul. By pushing GAMC enrollees into MinnesotaCare, Regions will lose $10 million in uncompensated care reimbursements. Those costs will get passed on in higher property taxes across Ramsey County; not to mention higher premiums for those who do have insurance.
Unfortunately, our efforts to override the veto have failed. Still, negotiations are ongoing and I remain hopeful we can craft a solution that covers these individuals at a price Minnesota taxpayers can afford.
For the thousands of Minnesota veterans sleeping under bridges tonight and for tens of thousands more whose health depend on GAMC, I will continue doing everything I can to responsibly and affordably restore this program.
Please contact me with your questions, concerns, and ideas. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Leon Lillie
State Representative
District 55A
rep.leon.lillie@house.mn
(651) 296-1188
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