U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

ALLOW FOR MEDICAID REFORMS
RATHER THAN CUTS

SUPPORT H.R. 5613, THE “PROTECTING THE MEDICAID
SAFETY NET ACT OF 2008”

April 22, 2008

Dear Colleague:

Last week, the Committee on Energy and Commerce passed H.R. 5613, the “Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008” with a strong bipartisan vote of
46-0.

Rather than cutting services to beneficiaries, this bill allows for a “time-out” so that Congress can evaluate what is happening in the States and address any concerns. Congress has an obligation to responsibly oversee the Medicaid program, rather than eliminate services, particularly at a time when States are struggling to balance budgets. This legislation would place a one-year moratorium on seven rules recently issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would restrict or eliminate Medicaid coverage and payments for critical services and institutions. H.R. 5613 also includes offsets to ensure that the bill is fully paid for.

H.R. 5613 has the support of more than 2,000 national and local organizations, including the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislators, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of State Medicaid Directors.

Provider and school organizations such as the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Hospital Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have also signed on in support of the bill as have organizations representing beneficiaries such as March of Dimes and Voices for America’s Children.

The moratorium will allow Congress time to evaluate the rules and the effect they will have on the Medicaid program. Without this moratorium, schools will begin laying off workers in June; hospitals and nursing homes will begin making cuts and begin lay offs, as well. In this economy, we can hardly afford more job losses and cuts to services that help keep those with disabilities employed.

We hope that you will join us in supporting this important bill as it comes to the House floor on the suspension calendar today.

Sincerely,

John D. Dingell

Tim Murphy