Medicaid Moratoria Bill: Prior to the recess, Reps. John Dingell (D-MI) and Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613). The bill would temporarily stop the implementation of seven Medicaid regulations until April 1, 2009. The regulations would shift, at a minimum, $20 billion in costs to states and counties over the next five years. Those shifts will ultimately affect access, quality, and delivery of services for Medicaid beneficiaries, including those with complex physical and behavioral health needs.
NACHSA is joining the National Association of Counties in urging members of Congress to cosponsor the legislation. You may send an e-mail to your member of Congress requesting support for the bill by clicking here. The bill may be considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee as early as next week.
A summary of the bill (HR 5613) may be found by clicking here.
Kinship Caregiver Support Act: Efforts are underway to increase the number of co-sponsors of the Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S.661/H.R. 2188). Among the provisions, the bill would provide federal support for subsidized guardianships. NACHSA and NACHSA-member organizations, including the County Welfare Directors Association of California and the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, have assisted the Pew Trusts' Kids Are Waiting Campaign in identifying county human services officials and others to participate in a Washington fly-in next week.
The Kids Are Waiting Campaign has also provided a toll free number NACHSA members and others may use to call Congressional offices to urge support for the bill. The call-in line is open until April 15. Call 1-866-873-3025, follow the prompts, enter your ZIP code, and you will be connected directly to your members' office.
For a summary of the legislation, click here.
