Dear AMSA,

Many of you have heard about our state's dire financial situation,  
particularly after today's Minnesota Supreme Court hearing regarding  
Governor's "unallotments" and line-item vetoes.  Attached is a letter  
from Dr. Frank Cerra, Dean of the Medical School and Senior VP of the  
Academic Health Center.  It outlines the effects of proposed budget  
cuts on our medical education, as well as how hospitals in the state  
will be affected.  You will also find a fact sheet discussing the  
funding for Medical Education and Research Cost (MERC).

"If this budget is approved and enacted, we will have great difficulty  
in continuing to provide the education and clinical training that is  
essential to graduate the next generation of outstanding physicians  
for Minnesota.  I would appreciate any help you can give in alerting  
our state Senators and Representatives of the serious consequences of  
these proposed budget cuts."
     -  Macaran Baird, M.D., M.S.
        Professor and Head
        Department of Family Medicine and Comunity Health
        University of Minnesota Medical School

You can find information about contacting your state legislators at:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?id=47

Please help raise awareness regarding our school's political dependence.

Very respectfully,
Erik Scharrer



Erik Scharrer
Executive Vice President - Medical School Student Council
University of Minnesota Medical School
Class of 2011
Cell:  (612) 388-6920