On April 21, the Governor offered to take only $125 million from the Health Care Access Fund to solve the budget deficit (instead of the $250 million he initially recommended) in exchange for $125 million in other budget reductions. In essence, the Governor would recommend cuts to General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) eligibility, Medical Assistance benefits or eligibility, and other "reductions in health and human services grants and programs". The Governor is still insisting that funds be taken from the Health Care Access Fund to help balance the general fund. His latest position is to transfer $125 million, if the Legislature cuts $125 million out of existing health care programs, especially General Assistance Medical Care. The Governor also sent a memo to legislative leaders that he does not support spending TANF dollars on work supports (car repair, paid work experience), but prefers to use TANF dollars to patch the general fund. Give Governor Pawlenty (651-296-3391) a call and ask them to protect the vulnerable Minnesotans served by these programs.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please protect the Health Care Access Fund. The new budget offer targets health care programs for extremely low-income elderly, people with disabilities, and the very ill.

Families without health insurance and families in poverty should not be asked to sacrifice more because of our fiscal problems, especially when they are hardest hit by the recession. Justice means those who have the most, contribute the most to righting the state's balance sheet.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 02, 2008