A plan to create a temporary, scaled-back version of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) is on its way to the governor’s desk.
The House passed an amended version of
HF2680/
SF2168* in a 125-9 vote Feb. 18. Passed by the Senate on Feb. 11, it quickly repassed the bill 47-16 when it was returned from the House.
Sponsored by Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls), the bill would create a 16-month GAMC program providing continued coverage of basic medical services to eligible low-income Minnesotans. The program would be funded by reduced reimbursement to health care providers, cuts to county social services grants and the draw-down of federal dollars. A controversial surcharge on hospitals and HMOs was eliminated in committee.
The legislation also proposes reforms in mental health care delivery and allows counties to serve GAMC enrollees through a coordinated care delivery option. The temporary program would begin March 1, 2010, a month before the current program is expected to run out of funding.
On the House floor, lawmakers debated whether reform measures proposed by Rep. Matt Dean (R-Dellwood) and Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) should be included in the bill. One provision would create health savings accounts for up to 1,000 enrollees in MinnesotaCare, the state health program designed for working families. The state would make capped contributions to the accounts, which enrollees would draw from to pay for private services.
“We believe that these reform pieces are necessary,” Dean said. “We believe GAMC cannot continue into the next biennium. We need to reform that.”
Dean successfully amended the bill to include establishment of a county-based group home program for childless adults. The second part of his amendment, which included the health savings accounts, failed.
Several legislators said they supported GAMC reform efforts, but believed the proposals needed further discussion in committee.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed transitioning GAMC participants into MinnesotaCare. Critics of the governor’s proposal say GAMC enrollees, many of whom have a chronic mental illness, would not be able to pay the premiums and follow the re-enrollment procedures required under MinnesotaCare.
HHS bill is DOA but hoping for CPR
Supporters cite gaining federal funds, governor concerned about spending
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
House passes HHS budget bill
Members reluctantly vote for cuts; governor says bill is too costly
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2010
Not cutting as deep
Although painful now, omnibus HHS budget bill could set stage for reform
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Revisiting GAMC
Program participation questionable, hospitals favor earlier federal reform
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
A distress call for SOS?
State Operated Services plans programmatic redesign, amidst criticism
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Minnesota Index: Health coverage
Figures and statistics on health coverage and other vitals
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Inking a deal for donors
State oversight of body arts could reduce donor deferrals
(view full story)
Published 4/15/2010
Nursing a level playing field
Sides differ on who should pay for nursing home costs
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2010
Saying ‘sorry’
House resolution would apologize for practices done decades ago
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
And the cupboard is bare
More Minnesotans struggle to put food on the table
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2010
Future of GAMC uncertain
Legislators consider health care for state’s poor, sick
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Health care law quagmire
Sustainability at issue in law line-item vetoed by governor
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: More compromise, more reductions
Cuts in health and human services finance bill called ‘painful’
(view full story)
Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Cuts hang in the balance
Much depends on tax increases
(view full story)
Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Providing ‘pretty darn good coverage’
A new approach to public health could save millions in benefits, advocates say
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
First Reading: Complex problem, complex solution
Cuts to health and human services could create reform opportunity
(view full story)
Published 4/3/2009
Minnesota Index: Health boards
Figures and statistics on health licensing board in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/13/2009
At Issue: Medical marijuana
Controversial treatment clears first committee hurdle
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009
Minnesota Index: Less lighting up
Figures and statistics on smoking in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009