Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM) is seeking Republican colleagues to sign onto a "Dear Colleague" letter to United States House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA). The letter urges Chairman Nussle to oppose Medicaid cuts and reject reconciliation instructions for Medicaid in the final budget measure, instead providing funding for a bipartisan Medicaid commission as established by the United States Senate.
The letter and initiative by Wilson is directed at House Republicans and seeks to allocate fiscal resources to assist in the creation of a bipartisan Medicaid commission that can serve as a forum for comprehensive recommendations to the Medicaid program.
Background
In March, both the House and Senate approved budget resolutions with implications
for Medicaid funding. In the Senate an amendment proposed by Senators Gordon
Smith (R-OR) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and passed by a majority blocked the
$14 million in proposed cuts by the President and established a bipartisan
Medicaid commission to examine the potential impacts of modifications to the
Medicaid program. In the House, the current budget resolution increases proposed
Medicaid cuts to $20 million. Now, Representative Wilson is advancing a proposal
similar to the one accepted by the Senate. The two versions of the budget
resolution will go to a Senate/House conference committee, which will seek
to reconcile differences between the measures and create a resolution that
can be passed by both bodies.
Assistance
Needed
Please contact Republican House members and urge them to sign on to Rep. Wilson’s
letter. The deadline to sign is Wednesday, April 13. There are three key points
to be made:
- Medicaid plays a specialized role in the nation’s health financing system – providing the bulk of the funding to care for people with severe disabilities and long-term care needs. It provides about 60 percent of the funding for public mental health services. Provide community examples of the support people receive through Medicaid.
- Explain that it is unwise to single out Medicaid as a major source of savings to reduce the federal deficit. Instead of including modifications to Medicaid in the budget process, a measured and well-considered approach should be used. A bipartisan Medicaid commission allows for thoughtful decisions to be made about changing the program, as opposed to an approach that relies upon broad cuts without close scrutiny of the policy issues.
- Urge that the representative sign Wilson’s “Dear Colleague” letter. Representatives interested in signing on should contact Joe Moser in Representative Wilson’s office at (202) 225-6316 as soon as possible.
Pennsylvania
Republican Representatives
PCPA members are encouraged to contact the representative in their district
and ask him or her to support Wilson’s initiative. Representatives have
various district offices in members’ local areas – regional telephone
numbers for those offices can be located in the blue pages or the front section
of the local telephone book. Washington, DC office numbers are provided below:
Rep. Phil English (R-Erie) 202-225-5406
Rep. Melissa A. Hart (R-Bradford Woods) 202-225-2564
Rep. John E. Peterson (R-Pleasantville) 202-225-5121
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Downington) 202-225-4315
Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Glen Mills) 202-225-2011
Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R-Levittown) 202-225-4276
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) 202-225-2431
Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Tunkhannock) 202-225-3731
Rep. Charles W. Dent (R-Allentown) 202-225-6411
Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (R-Kennett Square) 202-225-2411
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pittsburgh) 202-225-2301
Rep. Todd R. Platts (R-York) 202-225-5836
Four Pennsylvania representatives have already signed the letter. They include Rep. English, Rep. Peterson, Rep. Fitzpatrick, and Rep. Shuster. Outreach to these members to thank them for their participation is also important.
Questions about federal Medicaid issues may be directed to Kris Ericson or Melissa DiSanto Simmons at the association. PCPA acknowledges the assistance of FamiliesUSA and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare in providing this information.
