Message from the MCCA Director of Public Policy:

Legislators need to hear from you by this Friday morning, February 26, 2010 !

What is General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)?  

Minnesota’s public health insurance program for adults who are low income, do not have children and are not certified as having a disability. Over 70% of these adults have a mental illness, chemical dependency or both. The governor vetoed the second year of funding and unallotted more of the funding, so there will be no money for the program come April 2010.

The Problem: Minnesota is going to lose GAMC in April unless legislators keep working on the issue. Call your representative and urge him or her to stay at the table and find a workable solution for the GAMC bill. You can say what works for you, but here are some suggestions:

1. GAMC is an important way for people on probation to access health care.

2. Losing GAMC means people with mental illnessess and additions may not get services and medications for several months after they get out of jail or prison. This will cause more 911 calls and trips to hospitals and people going back to jail. This is an expensive, ineffective way to respond to these individuals.

3. People on probation probably couldn’t stay on or pay for MNCare, so it’s not a good alternative to GAMC.

Who Should I Call?

http://www.gis.leg.mn/mapserver/districts/