H.R. 3995 COSPONSORS NEEDED • H.R. 3995 - ACTION ALERT • Federal Budget 06 Action Alert • DD Act Action Alert • OPPOSE Line Item Veto Bill • Line Item Veto Action Alert • SUNSET COMMISSION ACTION ALERT • BUDGET ALERT • BUDGET ACTION ALERT • MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACTION ALERTS • Budget Reconciliation Action Alert Nov. 2005 • Medicaid Action Alert Oct. 2005 • NCSL Medicaid Action Alert • Medicaid and Social Security Action Alert • Medicaid Action Alert • MiCASSA Action Alert • Medicare Part D Dual Eligibles • IDEA ACTION ALERT • Support Medicaid • Medicaid Cuts • 60 Minutes Feature • Direct Support Professional Recognition Act • Medicaid Funding 2002 (1) • Medicaid Funding 2002 (2) • Medicaid Funding 2001 • Olmstead Executive Order • Olmstead: White House Domestic Policy Council • Request for meeting w/HHS and White House • DD Act Reauthorization • Support the ADA
Support Increase in Federal Medicaid Funding
VOR Action
Alert
June 5, 2002
Table of Contents
- Background: Congress is considering again a temporary increase in Medicaid
spending
- ACTION ALERT: Your calls and letters needed!
- Template letter
- VOR Position: Voice of the Retarded Supports a Temporary Increase of
Medicaid FMAP
- Link to legislation
1. Background: Congress is considering again a temporary increase in
Medicaid spending
The introduction of two new bills has resurrected the proposal to temporarily
increase federal Medicaid funding to help the states through these difficult
budget times. A similar proposal to increase the Federal Medicaid Assistance
Percentage (FMAP) was considered, unsuccessfully, in November 2001 as part of
the overall Economic Recovery and Assistance for American Workers Act of 2001.
The two Senate bills, S. 2221 and S. 2570, both call for a temporary increase
in federal Medicaid funding (FMAP):
(A) S. 2221: This legislation, introduced by Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), proposes for the next three years a 1.5% increase
to FMAP, an additional 1.5% increase for states with a higher than average
unemployment rate, and a hold harmless provision that would essentially put on
hold any scheduled decreases to federal Medicaid funding. The total fiscal
impact is estimated at $17.5 billion. The Administration has indicated it will
not support the amounts proposed in S. 2221.
(B) S. 2570: This legislation, introduced by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and
Susan Collins (R- ME), proposes for the next 18 months a 1% FMAP increase and a
hold harmless provision. S. 2570 does not include any additional relief for high
unemployment states. It does include a provision for additional block grants for
health and social services under Title XX ("Block Grants to States for
Social Services"). S. 2570 is considered a compromise bill that has a
better chance of success. The total fiscal impact is estimated at $8.9 billion.
The National Governors' Association helped secure this compromise.
On the House side, there is H.R. 3414, introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-NY).
H.R. 3414 proposes over one year a 2% FMAP increase, an additional 2.5% for high
unemployment states, and a hold harmless provision. The total fiscal impact is
estimated at $8.4 billion.
Given the dire budget situations facing most states, VOR supports
Congressional efforts to secure a temporary increase in Medicaid funding. VOR's
call for action, a template letter and position paper are shared below.
2. ACTION ALERT: Your calls and letters
needed!
=====
WHY
=====
People with mental retardation require uninterrupted services and supports.
The budget shortfalls in many states are causing lawmakers to consider budget
cuts, including Medicaid. The Congressional proposals to temporarily increase
federal Medicaid spending recognize this urgent state-level need and will go a
long way towards helping to remedy this temporary situation.
The timing of this Action Alert is aimed at helping to compliment the efforts
of the VOR Washington Initiative participants, who will be visiting Members of
Congress next week, the week of June 10.
=====
WHO
=====
Your Representative and Senators. Contact information follows.
=======
WHERE
=======
You can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Direct contact information, including in most cases e-mail and fax numbers,
can be accessed by visiting http://www.vor.net
(bottom of home page), or at http://congress.org.
These links will also tell you who your Representative and Senators are by
providing the opportunity to type in your zip code.
If you prefer to write with your concerns, a fax or e-mail is preferable
given the delay and uncertainty of processing U.S. Mail in Washington, D.C. A
template letter is shared below for your use.
======
WHEN
======
Calls and faxed letters this week and next will greatly enhance the efforts
of those VOR members in Washington, D.C. for the VOR Washington Initiative. VOR
members will be in Washington, D.C. the week of June 10 visiting every Member of
Congress to seek support for increased Medicaid funding.
======
WHAT
======
If you decide to write (by e-mail or fax), a template letter is pasted below.
If you call, here is the message you can use:
"I support Congressional proposals, such as S. 2221, S. 2570, and H.R.
3414, to temporarily increase federal Medicaid spending. I am a member of Voice
of the Retarded and we feel this provision will help ensure that Americans with
mental retardation do not suffer from devastating Medicaid program cuts in the
coming years."
3. Template Letter
DATE
The Honorable Jane Doe OR The Honorable John Doe
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Senator Doe: Dear Representative Doe:
During the week of June 10, 2002, VOR members from across the country will
visit every Congressional office to express our collective support for
Congressional proposals to temporarily increase the Federal Medical
Assistance Percentage (FMAP).
VOR supports a full array of quality residential services and supports for
people with mental retardation. Adequate funding for all types and levels
of services is required to ensure that high quality programs are available
for all persons with mental retardation. Given the dire situation facing
most state budgets, additional federal support is required so that
Americans with mental retardation do not suffer from devastating Medicaid
program cuts in coming years.
I am personally concerned because my [SON/DAUGHTER/OTHER] has mental
retardation. [HE/SHE] requires the close care and supports afforded at
[NAME OF RESIDENCE]. This program relies on adequate Medicaid funding to
ensure that it can continue to provide uninterrupted, high quality services
and supports to our loved ones with mental retardation. Without these
services, my [SON/DAUGHTER/OTHER] and [HIS/HER] peers will suffer. [NOTE:
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD MORE DETAIL IN THIS PARAGRAPH ABOUT THE LEVEL OF
DISABILITY, SERVICES RECEIVED, SPECIFIC NEEDS, ETC., OF YOUR FAMILY
MEMBER].
In addition to across-the-board-cuts that have been proposed in many
states, VOR members are concerned that program funds from Medicaid
certified and funded Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental
Retardation (ICFs/MR) will be diverted or cut under the belief that this
will save money. VOR members will be sharing a 2002 Executive Summary of a
cost comparison study that shows "From the studies reviewed here, it is
clear that large savings are not possible within the field of developmental
disabilities by shifting from institutional to community placements." A
copy of this Executive Summary is also available by contacting VOR at
605-399-1624; vor@compuserve.com. This study will help ensure that any
additional federal funding is used by states responsibly and in ways that
reflect the actual needs of the individuals being served.
Thank you in advance for supporting Congressional efforts to temporarily
increase federal Medicaid funding. Such assistance is necessary to help
avert or reduce the magnitude of state cuts to Medicaid, and other
programs, that serve vulnerable populations, including people with mental
retardation.
Sincerely,
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE/FAX
E-MAIL
4. VOR Position: Voice of the Retarded
Supports a Temporary Increase of Medicaid FMAP
Voice of the Retarded
5005 Newport Drive, Ste. 108
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847-253-6020
847-253-6020 fax
vor@compuserve.com
April 2002
Voice of the Retarded Supports a
Temporary Increase of Medicaid FMAP
Voice of the Retarded (VOR) supports Congressional proposals to temporarily
increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to help ensure that
States are able to maintain important Medicaid-supported residential and health
care programs for Americans with disabilities.
States are struggling to accommodate Medicaid shortfalls. As the economy
weakens and the tax base in most states continues to erode, budgets suffer and
demands increase. People with disabilities, including people with mental
retardation, stand to suffer the most if access to residential, health care and
other services is cut. For people with chronic health care conditions accessing
uninterrupted services is often a matter of life or death.
Current Congressional proposals suggest temporary, across-the board,
increases for all fifty states. Some proposals also offer additional increases
for states with higher than average unemployment rates and delay scheduled
decreases in Medicaid funding.
It is vital that Americans with disabilities, including people with mental
retardation, not be left behind in the ongoing plans to stimulate the nation's
economy. Proposals to temporarily increase federal Medicaid spending offers some
level of security for our nation's most vulnerable citizens. VOR does ask that
any increase in Medicaid spending result in direct support to the people in
need, rather than increased administrative costs.
VOR is pleased to join the National Governor's Association, The Arc of the
United States, American Health Care Association and other national
organizations, in support of a temporary increase in federal Medicaid funding to
provide essential fiscal relief to states. Such assistance is necessary to help
avert or reduce the magnitude of state cuts to Medicaid, and other programs,
that serve vulnerable populations, including people with mental retardation.
END
Voice of the Retarded is a national organization advocating on behalf of
individuals with mental retardation and their families. VOR is the only national
organization advocating for a full range of residential and support options for
people with mental retardation, including Medicaid-certified Intermediate Care
Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFs/MR) and home and community-based
care.
5. Link to legislation
http://thomas.loc.gov
| 