PI Action alerts & updates ... 2004
Legislation Introduced to Provide
Emergency Relief to State Medicaids
Urge Your Representatives to Co-Sponsor these Life-Saving Bills
Last month, two very important bills were introduced that will provide
badly needed fiscal relief to state Medicaid programs. The Senate
version of the bill, S. 2671, authored by Senators Jay Rockefeller
(D-West Virginia) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) would give state Medicaid
programs $4.8 billion over 15 months. The House version of the bill,
H.R. 4961, authored by Representatives Peter King (R-New York) and
Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) would provide $6 billion in temporary state
Medicaid relief.
Last year, a bill was passed that gave states $10 billion for temporary
Medicaid relief, but it expired on July 1 and no further money has
been available. The $10 billion allowed many states to avoid drastic
cuts and program changes. Because many states continue to be in
a fiscal crisis, an extension of this federal relief is needed to
help them serve those who rely on Medicaid for lifesaving care and
treatment.
Medicaid continues to be a lifeline for thousands of people living
with HIV/AIDS. It serves over 50% of people with HIV/AIDS in the
United States, and more than 90% of children with AIDS.
You can make a huge difference for these people by taking a few
minutes in August to ask your U.S. Senators and Representative to
cosponsor these bills!
How you can help:
Congress is now on “August recess” and many Senators
and Representatives are back home working in their district offices.
It is a great time to talk with them and their staff about this
issue. Here is how you can make your voice heard:
1. Call your two U.S. Senators in their district office. Tell whoever
answers the phone:
“I am calling to urge Senator _______________
to co-sponsor S. 2671. This bill would provide badly needed fiscal
relief for state Medicaid programs.”
2. Then call your U.S. Representative in his/her district office
and say:
“I am calling to urge Represenative _______________
to co-sponsor H.R. 4961. This bill would provide badly needed fiscal
relief for state Medicaid programs.”
You can find district office contact information for your representatives
on their websites. Go to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. If you
need help finding out who represents you in Congress, go to www.vote-smart.org.
Thank you for acting on this Alert! Please forward it to your friends,
family, and colleagues and ask them to take action as well!
The HIV Medicaid/Medicare Working Group is a national coalition
of advocates working to protect and expand Medicaid and Medicare
for people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information about the
working group, please write to theaccessproject@aol.com.
