Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tom Scheck
St. Paul, Minn.

Groups hold protests against GAMC cuts

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Several progressive groups held protests across Minnesota this Tuesday morning to protest Gov. Pawlenty's line-item veto of a health care program for the poor.

Earlier this year, Pawlenty cut funding for General Assistance Medical Care, which serves people who earn less than $8,000 a year. The Department of Human Services hopes to enroll those people into a separate health care program, but advocates say merging the program won't help the poor.

DFL Rep. Paul Thissen attended a protest outside of the governor's mansion in St. Paul. Thissen, who is running for governor, said he's hopeful lawmakers will find a way to save the program.

"The problem with the governor's solution is that it's short-term. It's not a long-term fix," Thissen said. "And we need above all, especially for this population, to provide stability and a long-term solution. I think we are going to get there. I'm optimistic about that."

Greta Bergstrom with the progressive group, Take Action Minnesota, said people on GAMC who earn less than $8,000 a year have different needs than those enrolled in MinnesotaCare.

"This is a population that is largely indigent," Bergstrom said. "It is single males predominantly without dependents that are in need of medical care. Those from the African-American and Native-American populations and MinnCare was not set up to deal with this population."

Democrats have proposed a 16 month extension for the program by creating a Medicaid surcharge on hospitals and HMOs. Gov. Pawlenty has raised concerns about that plan.