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General Assistance Medical Care Weekly Report
Days until GAMC is eliminated: 120
GAMC is set to be eliminated on March 1, less than four weeks after the legislative session begins. Eliminating GAMC will not eliminate the need for medical care. As a safety net hospital, Regions will continue to treat patients, but cannot do it for free. The legislature needs to pass legislation in the opening weeks of the session to continue coverage for current GAMC enrollees.
Story of the week: Andrew, age 44 *
Andrew had a low wage job, but could not afford private insurance. He came to Regions emergency department with body aches and flu like symptoms including nausea, poor appetite and upset stomach. He was admitted to the hospital and doctors determined that he has leukemia. Andrew now has coverage through GAMC, but he will probably not be able to return to work. GAMC will cover his medical bills which are more than $135,000 and will allow him to get the medication he needs.
GAMC care provided by Regions Hospital for week of Sept. 30, 2009:
| Emergency room |
91 |
| Inpatient |
30 |
| Same-day surgery |
9 |
| Outpatient** |
132 |
| Patients with serious mental illness |
53 |
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Week of Sept. 30, 2009 |
Since funding was cut (May) |
| Total GAMC patient visits*** |
262 |
4,525 |
| Reimbursement that will be lost |
$366,325 |
$7.2 million |
* Not patients real name or age
**Outpatient visits include radiology, chemotherapy, chemical dependency, mental health and other diagnostic visits.
*** Enrolled in GAMC or in process of enrolling
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