Reply #12: I got this from our local Health center network [View All]

Final Budget Reconciliation Bill Contains Severe Cuts to Medicaid and Health Centers
Call Senators Snowe and Collins Now and Urge Them to Vote NO on Budget Reconciliation!!

Senators Snowe and Collins represent two of the most critical votes in the issue of budget reconciliation, they need to hear from you as soon as possible! The future of the Medicaid spending package/cuts, and the implications these decisions will have on health centers will be decided TODAY or TOMORROW, for this reason please make a phone call to their offices TODAY and ask for their opposition to the Budget Reconciliation Congference Report.

House and Senate leaders have agreed upon more than $15 billion in harmful cuts to Medicaid and Medicare as part of a $40 billion deficit-reduction 'reconciliation' bill. Despite the inclusion of some provisions protecting FQHCs from some of the worst effects of the Medicaid changes, the overall bill would cause excessive harm to low-income beneficiaries and financially impact FQHCs and other safety net providers who furnish care to them.
Only mandatory children, pregnant women, and dual eligibles would be protected from the bill's cost sharing provisions. Everyone else could be subject to cost-sharing which would be limited to 10% of charges for those below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and 20% of charges for those above 150% of FPL.
Taken together, these and other provisions will eliminate coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, increase uncompensated care for health centers and other safety net providers, and jeopardize the ability of patients to receive the full scope of needed services. Moreover, these provisions also will disadvantage health centers and other safety net providers, whose missions and tax status require them to provide care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The House approved their budget last night. The agreement now stands or falls on the final vote in the Senate that could happen TODAY or TOMORROW!

It is critical that Senators Snowe and Collins hear from as many people as possible as soon as possible ASKING THEM TO OPPOSE THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL.

Ask to speak to either the health Legislative Assistant, the Legislative Director, or the Chief of Staff - DO NOT just leave a message with the receptionist or allow them to just shuffle you to to a voice mailbox.

Because time is tight, please CALL Your Senators at:
Senator Susan Collins (202) 224-2523
Pricilla Hanley- Health Legislative Assistant
Jane Alonso- Legislative Director
Steven Abott- Chief of Staff

Senator Olympia Snowe (202) 224-5344
Susan Walden- Medicaid Legislative Assistant
Ray Krncevic- Legislative Director
John Richter- Chief of Staff