TO DO - (1) ACT; and (2) SHARE this Action Alert with everyone you know.
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Budget Reconciliation Action Alert
January 19, 2006
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Contents
1. "It ain't over 'till it's over" - Contact Representatives Now!
2. Template Phone Messages
3. Template Fax Message - 39 Key Republicans
4. Template Fax Message - ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS (including 16 not
present for the first vote).
5. Congressional Contact Information
6. Key Contacts
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1. "It ain't over till it's over" - Contact Representatives Now!
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Although we expected the Budget Reconciliation debate to be over in
late-December, a turn of events has given advocates another opportunity to
work to defeat steep Medicaid cuts.
Both the House and the Senate voted on the Conference Agreement. At the
last minute, however, the Senate made some technical changes that makes its
bill slightly different from the House version. As a result, the House must
vote again; the vote is scheduled for February 1.
Because the first House vote was so close -- 212-206 -- there is hope among
advocates that the bill could be defeated second time around.
VOR is focusing on three strategies:
(A) Reaching 39 Republican Representatives that voted "YES" on a Motion
Instruct Conferees not to endorse Medicaid cuts that harmed beneficiaries
but then voted "YES" on the Budget Reconciliation bill that contained
harmful Medicaid cuts urging them to vote "NO" on February 1.
(B) Reaching 16 (6 Democrats and 10 Republicans) Representatives that were
not present for the original vote, urging them to vote "NO" on February 1.
(C) Reaching all other Representatives urging them to vote "NO" on February
1.
Please contact with your Representative by phone or fax today. Time is of
the essence.
Template phone and fax messages are provided below. To identify your two
Senators and one Representative, visit http://www.congress.org. Through
this website you can also get phone and fax numbers.
ACT QUICKLY. CONGRESS WILL BE VOTING VERY SOON. DO NOT DELAY.
THANK YOU!!!
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2. Template Phone Messages
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(A) 39 KEY REPUBLICANS
If your Representative is on the list of 39 Republicans voting "YES" on the
Motion Instruct Conferees not to endorse Medicaid cuts that harmed
beneficiaries but then voted "YES" on the Budget Reconciliation bill that
contained harmful Medicaid cuts, use this phone message:
"I am a constituent. My family member has mental retardation and he/she
relies heavily on Medicaid-supported services. Thank you for voting yes on
the Medicaid Motion to Instruct Conferees. I am concerned, however, that
you then voted in support of the Budget Reconciliation Bill that contained
these cuts. On February 1, you have a second chance to protect people on
Medicaid. Please vote against the Budget Reconciliation Bill."
(B) 16 REPRESENTATIVES NOT PRESENT FOR THE FIRST VOTE
"I am a constituent. My family member has mental retardation and he/she
relies heavily on Medicaid-supported services. On February 1, please vote
against the Budget Reconciliation Bill."
(C) ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
"I am a constituent. My family member has mental retardation and he/she
relies heavily on Medicaid-supported services. On February 1, please vote
against the Budget Reconciliation Bill."
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3. Template Fax Message - 39 KEY REPUBLICANS
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January 2006
VOTE "NO" TO REJECT THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL
PROTECT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL RETARDATION
Dear Rep.________________,
Thank you for your compassion and support for our nation's neediest
citizens. I and other state citizens applauded your vote in support of the
Motion to Instruct Conferees to avoid Medicaid cuts that would directly
harm beneficiaries.
However, your vote in support of the Budget Reconciliation Conference
Agreement that contained the very harmful cuts you objected to just three
days before causes me great concern.
I understand that you had just a few hours to review a very long bill
before your vote in support of S. 1932, and that you might not have had a
chance to appreciate how the conferees resolved the Medicaid issues.
Fortunately, you now have a second chance to protect people on Medicaid. I
urge you to vote against the Budget Reconciliation conference report when
the House votes again on February 1.
I respect your concern about fiscal responsibility but I believe there are
other, better, places to achieve savings -- both within the budget
reconciliation process and the impending tax cut deliberations. Please keep
in mind that the full weight of fiscal reform should not land on the
shoulders of our nation's most vulnerable citizenry.
I am depending upon you to pave the way to a Reconciliation package that
keeps health care accessible, affordable and comprehensive for Medicaid
beneficiaries, most especially people with severe and profound mental
retardation who cannot care for themselves, speak for themselves, or in any
way advocate for themselves in this process.
Thank you in advance for embracing this rarely given second chance and
voting against Medicaid cuts that will directly harm beneficiaries in every
state.
Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone, Fax, E-Mail
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4. Template Fax Message - ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS (including
16 not present for the first vote).
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January 2006
STRONGLY OPPOSE SEVERE MEDICAID CUTS
PROTECT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL RETARDATION
Dear Rep. ____________________,
VOR is writing to express our deep concern about Medicaid cuts in the
Reconciliation bill.
On behalf of all persons with severe forms mental retardation who rely on
Medicaid for services and health care, we urge the Congress to reject all
provisions that harm Medicaid beneficiaries. In particular, we strongly
oppose Medicaid cuts and any provisions that impose cost-sharing and
benefit changes on Medicaid beneficiaries.
On February 1, the House of Representatives has another opportunity to take
a stand for America's most vulnerable populations and reject all
legislative provisions that harm Medicaid beneficiaries. The health care
needs of millions of people hang in the balance, and we are depending on
you to help shape a Reconciliation package that keeps health care
accessible, affordable and comprehensive for Medicaid beneficiaries, most
especially people with severe and profound mental retardation who cannot
care for, speak for, or in any way advocate for themselves.
Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone, Fax, E-Mail
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5. Congressional Contact Information
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To identify your two Senators and one Representative, visit
http://www.congress.org. The Capitol Switchboard can also identify for your
Senators and Representative, and connect you to their offices:
1-800-426-8073.
Your Senators and Representative can be reached using a special "Save
Medicaid" toll-free number: 1-800-828-0498.
At http://www.congress.org, you can also direct phone and fax numbers.
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6. Key Contacts
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(A) 39 KEY REPUBLICANS
Here is the list of 39 Republicans, arranged by state, who voted "YES" on
the Motion Instruct Conferees not to endorse Medicaid cuts that harmed
beneficiaries but then voted "YES" on the Budget Reconciliation bill that
contained harmful Medicaid cuts:
CALIFORNIA
Bono, Mary (CA)
CONNECTICUT
Shays, Christopher (CT)
Simmons, Robert (CT)
DELAWARE
Castle, Michael (DE)
FLORIDA
Brown-Waite, Ginny (FL)
Foley, Mark (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (FL)
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (FL)
GEORGIA
Gingrey, Phil (GA)
IDAHO
Otter, C.L. (ID)
Simpson, Mike (ID)
ILLINOIS
Shimkus, John (IL)
IOWA
Leach, Jim (IA)
MARYLAND
Gilchrest, Wayne (MD)
MICHIGAN
Ehlers, Vernon (MI)
McCotter, Thaddeus (MI)
Miller, Candice (MI)
Schwartz, Joe (MI)
Upton, Fred (MI)
MINNESOTA
Ramstad, Jim (MN)
MISSOURI
Emerson, Jo Ann (MO)
MONTANA
Rehberg, Dennis (MT)
NEW JERSEY
LoBiondo, Frank (NJ)
Saxton, Jim (NJ)
NEW YORK
Boehlert, Sherwood (NY)
Kelly, Sue (NY)
Kuhl, Randy (NY)
Sweeney, John (NY)
NORTH CAROLINA
Coble, Howard (NC)
Hayes, Robin (NC)
OHIO
Gillmor, Paul (OH)
Regula, Ralph (OH)
PENNSYLVANIA
Dent, Charles (PA)
Fitzpatrick, Mike (PA)
Gerlach, Jim (PA)
Platts, Todd (PA)
Weldon, Curt (PA)
VIRGINIA
Davis, Tom (VA)
WASHINGTON
Reichert, Dave (WA)
WEST VIRGINIA
Capito, Shelley Moore (WV)
(B) 16 NOT PRESENT FOR THE FIRST VOTE REPUBLICANS
Kolbe (R-AZ)
Baca (D-CA)
Harmon (D-CA)
Miller, Gary (R-CA)
Radanovich (R-CA)
Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Emanuel (D-IL)
Gutierrez (D-IL)
Hyde (R-IL)
Hostettler (R-IN)
Jones (R-NC)
Myrick (R-NC)
Istook (R-OK)
Johnson, Sam (R-TX)
Reyes (D-TX)
Davis, Jo Ann (R-VA)
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WE MUST ACT QUICKLY.
SEND YOUR FAX OR MAKE YOUR CALLS TODAY!!
THANK YOU FOR YOU PARTICIPATION
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