General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) is an important health insurance program that provides access to health care, medications and hospitalization for 30,000 low-income Minnesotans. Nearly 70% of the people on this program have a mental illness, chemical dependency or both. Adults without children and whose income is under $8,124 per year and have less than $1,000 in assets are eligible for the program.

At the end of the 2009 legislative session, Governor Pawlenty vetoed 2010-11 funding for GAMC and unallotted several more months of funding. This means that GAMC will have no funding beyond March 1, 2010. A temporary measure will be used to delay this loss of coverage, but many Minnesotans who rely on GAMC will still lose their health coverage within months or even weeks of March 1.

As the 2010 legislative session approaches, we need to engage in a conversation with our elected leaders about GAMC and the impact its elimination will have on our community.

Join in a discussion about the impact of losing GAMC and possible solutions. Talk with your legislators today about funding GMAC. For more information, contact Suzanne Belongia at 507-459-5556 or sbelongia@ccwinona.org.

Related Downloads:

General Assistance Background Information (PDF 52.67kb)