Join us for: MY MEDICAID MATTERS
Organizations representing Texans with disabilities, seniors, children, family members, direct care workers and other allies will gather on the north steps of the State Capitol on Wednesday, September 21st at 10:00 a.m. to send a clear, united message to Congress, the Obama Administration as well as to Governor Perry and Texas legislators that MEDICAID MATTERS to Texans, as the federal government considers making drastic cuts to the Medicaid program.
“Medicaid is the national safety net for millions of people across the nation,” said Bob Kafka of ADAPT of Texas. “The Federal budget debate has largely overlooked the real impact of severe Medicaid cutbacks. It is critical that the voice of Texans is heard in force, to let decision makers in Washington, D.C., know that real budget reform means recognizing that Medicaid Matters to real people.”
“When certain legislators’ idea of Medicaid ‘reform’ is creating block grants to the states, that demonstrates a real lack of political responsibility to ensure that vital services and supports reach the people who most need it,” said Dennis Borel of Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. “Block grants create a lack of accountability in spending because every state will administer Medicaid differently. We need to make sure that Medicaid dollars go to support the people who need it.”
“Draconian budget cuts to the Medicaid program will result in the loss of critical services and supports to individuals whose needs continue regardless of the cuts,” said Amy Mizcles of The Arc of Texas. “Medicaid is the lifeline for millions.”
On August 2, 2011, President Obama signed the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. This eleventh-hour agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling including a provision to reduce the federal deficit by over $2 trillion over the next decade without any required revenue increases. As a result of the BCA, a 12 member Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, a “Super Committee”, was appointed to recommend $1.5 trillion budget cuts to the federal budget over the next ten years. U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling, a Republican from Texas, was appointed co-chair of the Committee. Because Medicaid is one the largest federal programs, it is a target for the draconian budget cuts. The Super Committee must make their recommendations by November 23, 2011 and Congress must vote on the recommendations by December 23, 2011. (http://www.
