Regions Hospital GAMC update to legislators
ST. PAUL, Minn. - May 18, 2009 - The elimination of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), covering more than 30,000 low income Minnesotans, will have a devastating impact on the healthcare of those in our society who often have no other options when it comes to medical care. The elimination of GAMC will have a devastating effect on the states healthcare safety net, including an estimated $36.3 million loss in reimbursement to Regions Hospital during the next two years.
Numbers that large make it difficult to understand the day-to-day impact of the loss of GAMC. To help show the real impact of this loss in a context easier for most of us to understand, Regions is sharing our weekly census of GAMC patients and the cost associated with treating our patients. Regions will also be sharing the stories of our patients who will be impacted by the loss of this important program.
May 18, 2009 is the day the Minnesota Legislature adjourned without funding GAMC in the second year of the biennium. The following is Regions Hospital GAMC census data beginning the day of adjournment.
GAMC Patient Care
The following information is a summary of patient care provided by Regions Hospital for the week of May 18-24:
Total GAMC patient visits1
Emergency Room
Inpatient
Same Day Surgery
Outpatient2
Total dollars
|
237
80
28
2
127
$348,630
|
Story of the week3: Robert, age 23
When Robert came to Regions Hospital emergency room, he had a full-time job as an auto-mechanic. He doesnt have health insurance, but an excruciating headache forced him to go to the ER anyway. Doctors diagnosed a brain tumor and despite two surgeries, the tumor has robbed him of sight in his right eye. Losing half of his sight means he cant work anymore as an auto mechanic. He doesnt qualify for most state medical programs because he is not 100 percent blind and thus not considered disabled; hes over 21 and under age 65, and he doesnt have minor children. The only program he qualifies for is General Assistance Medical Care. Financial counselors at Regions are now helping him to apply for the program to help pay for his medical bills so far: $150,000.
1 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.
