URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Sent to Dreams by The Council on Mental Retardation

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Telephone Congress Today About

MEDICAID Funding in Recovery Package

Congress Finalizing Economic Recovery Package
Now is a Critical Time to Fight for Increased Medicaid Funding!
Congress and the Obama administration are working on a recovery package rumored to be between $775 and $850 billion. Leading national organizations that track state fiscal conditions agree that states are facing a fiscal crisis of historic proportions that will continue for a number of years.Washington are pushing to have the bill enacted by February 13. The House and Senate are working on separate bills which are expected to be marked up in committee next week.   State officials have already cut Medicaid eligibility, benefits and services, and provider reimbursement rates; some states are making budget adjustments a second time. Others are finding they already must make budget adjustments in the near future and in 2010. ANCOR has learned through individual meetings on the Hill and coalition work that key decisions could be made as early as next week. Details of the House bill are emerging and Senate agreements may be finalized this weekend. Call your members of Congress THIS WEEK to tell them to support an economic recovery package that includes additional Medicaid funding. It is imperative that Congress provide a temporary increase in FMAP of at least $100 billion over two years. Congress must help states with their budget crises to avoid significant cuts to services and supports to people with disabilities. In addition, Congress must include sufficient funding to place moratoria through 2010 on seven CMS Medicaid regulations by the Bush administration. While Congress contemplates tax relief to middle class families, ANCOR believes they must also provide an additional SSI check to people with disabilities. More than seven million individuals rely on SSI and did not receive cash relief in the first stimulus package passed last year. Leaders in Take Action: Call Today! The federal government will be closed Monday and Tuesday, January 19-20, so it is crucial that you call your members of Congress immediately to have your voice heard before details of the package are finalized. Events are changing rapidly in Washington and we need you to weigh in at this critical time.FMAP Issue Brief for more information about the importance of Medicaid during and economic downturn.Action Center, then enter your zip code to obtain the telephone numbers of your members of Congress and an online feedback form. After you have completed your calls, use the online form provided to let ANCOR know you contacted your Representatives and Senators. Your feedback is important! ANCOR will keep you updated as this situation continues to evolve. Watch for additional information and directions for contacting your members of Congress in the coming days. Read ANCOR’s Click on the Take Action link at the top right corner of this e-mail to go to ANCOR’s   Contact Anne Fiala (afiala@ancor.org) of the Government Relations Staff with any questions.