CCD Letter Supporting Medicaid Increase in the Economic Stimulus Bill (HR1)
February 3, 2009
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January 26, 2009
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Madame Speaker:
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is writing to express our strong support for H.R.1, the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009. We are extremely pleased that this legislation contains several provisions to significantly improve many disability programs, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, early intervention for infants and toddlers, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and housing as well as improving claims processing and IT infrastructure at the Social Security Administration.
Most importantly, we applaud you, Chairman Waxman, and your other colleagues for including a very significant increase in the federal share of Medicaid spending (known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP) in this bill. Medicaid is the largest funder of health and long term services and supports for children and adults with disabilities. It is literally a life line for them and their families.
As you know, states desperately need this increased funding to meet the budget gaps they are facing due to the economic recession. The Urban Institute has estimated that the gap between Medicaid costs and the states' ability to meet those costs may reach $100 billion over the next two and a half years. The bill's FMAP increase structure - providing a base increase of 4.9% to all states and additional funding to states experiencing high unemployment will go a long way to assist states in filling these gaps.
In addition, we are very pleased that all of the moratoria on Medicaid regulations have been extended until June 30, 2009 and that a moratorium has been added for the Medicaid Outpatient rule.
On behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities and their families, thank you for your leadership. We look forward to working with you to secure speedy passage of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Cc: Hon. Steny Hoyer
Other leadership to be included
