States Need Real Medicaid Help!
Support an Increase in the FMAP.

February 13, 2002

THE ISSUE AT HAND

On Friday, January 31st, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced a sketchy Medicaid reform proposal that offers states an unwise choice.  States, which have been suffering from diminished budgets, can have fiscal relief now, but in return they must accept a Medicaid block grant, which essentially eliminates the entitlement status currently held by most beneficiaries for the next ten years.  If states do not choose the block grant option, they may continue to run their Medicaid program as they do now, but without any opportunity for fiscal relief for the next ten years.   It is important to note that the fiscal relief offered by the Administration is temporary, since states have repay all of by the end of the ten year period.

There are many unanswered questions about this proposal, since the Administration, including President Bush and Secretary Tommy Thompson, have released few details- only broad concepts.

There is a better alternative to help the states through their fiscal crises: an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), is the rate at which the federal government reimburses states for spending on Medicaid.

ACTION NEEDED

Please call, FAX, or email U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives ask them to support a temporary increase in the FMAP. This legislation is good for the Medicaid program, good for your state's economy - and it has bi-partisan support.

To contact your Members of Congress, you may call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121 or find their numbers and/ or email addresses at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

You may also contact your Representative and Senators through NASW's Congress Web, available on our website: http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/grassroots/congressweb.asp

Sample Script:

“I’m calling to urge the (Senator or Representative) if they believe in the current Medicaid program, to support a temporary increase in the Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). 

Thank you for your consideration.

What is Congress Web

TAKE ACTION NOW

For more information, please visit www.socialworkers.org or contact Francesca Fierro O'Reilly, NASW Government Relations, at fforeilly@naswdc.org.