The Senate this week is debating the 2005 Budget Resolution, which sets spending and tax parameters for the Fiscal Year 2005. 

Included in the Resolution is an instruction – mandate --  to the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the program, to make cuts to the Medicaid program that would total $11 billion over five years.  

Medicaid provides health coverage to over 50 million Americans and is the primary source of public funding for long-term services, both nursing home and home and community-based services.  Since many states are still facing significant budget deficits, any cuts to federal Medicaid funding would force them to make deep cuts to their state Medicaid program.  If these cuts were made, many vulnerable individuals would be denied the critical health services they need.   
Senator Baucus (D-MT) is expected to offer an amendment today to “strike the ‘reconciliation instruction’” that forces the $11 billion in Medicaid cuts over five years. 
The National Governors’ Association has voiced their strong opposition to any federal Medicaid funding cuts in a letter to the Senate Budget Committee Chair and Ranking Member, but it is imperative that Senators hear from as many individuals in opposition to the cuts as possible.

                                        WHAT YOU CAN DO?

If you believe these cuts should NOT be made, please:

1. Call your Senators Graham and Nelson IMMEDIATELY (the vote may come as early as tonight) and ask them to support the amendment to be offered by Senator Baucus to eliminate the Medicaid funding cut.   

Your Senator can be contacted through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

2. Contact others in your state and urge them to do the same.

3. Contact others you know in other states and urge them to call their Senators, too.