Rally at the State Capitol Monday

Rally at the State Capitol on Monday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m. to protest the elimination of care for the most vulnerable Minnesotans. Governor Pawlenty's health care policy demolishes General Assistance Medical Care, and leaves 33,000 of Minnesota's poorest, most vulnerable adults without health care.

Many of these people are veterans, senior citizens, people with mental illness, or those who are homeless. 70 percent have mental health or chemical dependency challenges, and 40 percent have chronic disease that leads to frequent hospitalization. Without care, these Minnesotans will be at risk of devastating health implications.

Despite assertion to the contrary, people who receive GAMC cannot afford the premiums for state-subsidized MinnesotaCare. Most GAMC recipients live on $203 a month.

Minnesota Hospital Association told the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy that GAMC cuts would likely eliminate over 7,500 jobs in the state's hospital system. These cuts are bad for patients and bad for nurses.

Make sure to wear red and bring comfortable shoes. We will start and the middle of the bend on Constitution Blvd and march across the Capitol mall to have the rally on the Capitol Step. This action is coordinated by the Minnesota Nurses Association in collaboration with Make Health HappenCoalition.