Hospitals, lawmakers discuss impact of health program's demise

Members of the Minnesota House Health and Humans Services Policy Committee are meeting with about a dozen hospitals across the state on the impact of cutting a health care program for low-income residents.

At North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale on Monday, CEO David Cress told lawmakers his hospital stands to lose $11 million to $12 million a year when General Assistance Medical Care is eliminated. Cress says the meetings may help find a way to close the gap.

"There's lots of different ideas that we'll be exploring from reinstatement to creating a whole new program," he said. "Or another alternative might to integrate with other programs."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to eliminate the GAMC program next spring. It provides free health insurance for Minnesotans who earn less than about $8,000 a year.