Governor Pawlenty Proposes Reducing Health Services for Seniors and Poor by $250 million
On April 24, Governor released his latest solution for solving the
budget deficit – take $125 million from the Health Care Access Fund and
another $125 million in other health and human services grants and
programs. Again, targeting health care programs for elderly people with
extremely low-incomes, people with disabilities, and the very ill.
If it is the Governor’s intent to focus on containing growth in Medical
Assistance, that would mean targeting the areas of greatest growth -
long term care and services for the elderly and disabled.
It should be noted that the Governor incorrectly states that GAMC and
MinnesotaCare are duplicative – GAMC is intended as a safety net for
extremely low-income people with disabilities and the uninsured with
catastrophic medical needs.
(You can find a copy of the Governor’s letter and other information
about the budget negotiations at www.minnesotabudgetbites.org )
If this concerns you, call the Governor and House and Senate leadership
to have your voice heard.
Governor Pawlenty – (651) 296-3391
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller – (651) 296-7809
Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher – (651) 296-0171
