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News Release
General Assistance Medical Care Weekly Report: Days until GAMC is eliminated: 127
October 23, 2009
GAMC is set to be eliminated on March 1, less than four weeks after the legislative session begins. Unless lawmakers act to replace GAMC, more than 30,000 Minnesotans will lose health care coverage.
Regions has a long tradition of caring for those in need, especially in times of crisis like the current H1N1 pandemic. Every day this week, Regions ER treated about 60-70 patients with flu symptoms. That is a significant increase from three weeks ago, when the emergency department treated fewer than 10 flu patients per day.
GAMC care for the week of September 23, 2009
Total GAMC patient visits 1
Emergency Room
Inpatient
Same Day Surgery
Outpatient 2
Patients with mental health conditions
Reimbursement that will be lost
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214
70
24
7
113
31
$295,377
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Since funding was cut (May)
4,263
$6.8 million
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Story of the week: Tom, age 55 3
After Tom lost his job, he lost his apartment and has been living in his car for the past few months. He has heart disease, but had not been taking medications because he could not pay for them. He came to Regions emergency department when his leg began swelling up and he was experiencing shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. He didnt have health insurance, but a financial counselor at Regions helped him apply for GAMC which is the only public program he is eligible for. GAMC will cover his hospital bill which is close to $100,000. GAMC will also cover the cost of Tom's heart medications that will keep him out of the hospital and prevent another $100,000 hospital visit.
1 Enrolled in GAMC or in process of enrolling
2 Outpatient visits include radiology, chemotherapy, chemical dependency, mental health
and other diagnostic visits.
3 Not patient's real name or age
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