Significant Stakes Call for Significant Action
Threats of shutdowns, defaults, and looming deadlines have been the norm of late and it is easy to get frustrated. Do not let that frustration lead to inaction. In the coming weeks, decisions will be made about federal spending for the coming fiscal year and for years to come through the Super Committee process. The stakes for homeless services, health care, and health care reform are as high as ever and advocates must remain vigilant.
Next week, the House of Representatives will be in recess in their home districts. Use this opportunity to keep the needs of the most vulnerable at the forefront by meeting with your Representative next week! |
Background: Super Committee
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (aka the Super Committee) has been meeting regularly over two months to develop legislation reducing the federal deficit at least $1.2 trillion over ten years (see the last entry in the Oct. 3 Mobilizer for more detail). Most of these meetings have been closed to the public and information about the deliberations has been elusive. The prevailing opinion inside Washington has been that partisan divide over entitlement cuts and increased revenue make success unlikely. If a proposal is not decided upon by Nov. 23, severe automatic cuts to defense and non-exempt domestic programs would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, barring Congressional action to prevent them.
The pressure to reach a deal to avoid the automatic cuts and political fallout of failure has been mounting of late, however, and proposals from each party surfaced last week. Both included significant cuts to Medicaid. Each was immediately rejected by the other party, primarily over whether to include new revenues (comparison of plans found here). |
Background: FY2012 Appropriations
Negotiations over FY2012 (Oct. 1, 2011 - Sept. 30, 2012) funding are far from over but the goal of most in Washington is to complete the process by the end of the year. The exact timing and packaging of the different appropriations bills is unclear but the Labor HHS Education Bill that funds health centers, SAMHSA, and many other safety net programs is the most contentious. The House version of this bill rescinds all FY12 funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including expanded funding for health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and other public health initiatives. It also cuts SAMHSA funding by 8.4% at a time when state and local support for behavioral health services has already been significantly cut. The Senate version maintains ACA funding, does not significantly cut SAMHSA, and includes funding for a SAMHSA/HUD Housing and Services for Homeless Persons Demonstration project. |
TAKE ACTION
The House will be in recess from Nov. 5-13, providing an excellent opportunity to schedule a meeting with your Representative him/herself. Call the Capitol Switchboard TODAY at 1(877) 210-5351 to be connected directly to the D.C. Office. Ask to speak to the scheduler and request a meeting with your Representative while they are back in the district. Explain where you work and that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the importance of federal funding to your project and your patients. If your Representative is unavailable then try to meet with a health and/or housing staffer - they can be just as important as the members themselves!
Use the following information and talking points in your meeting or on the phone:
- Medicaid should not be cut - it will only pass costs onto states, providers and beneficiaries (use this fact sheet by NHeLP in your meeting).
- Health centers save money and should not be undermined through cuts to health center funding or Medicaid. Support the Senate health center appropriation and do not rescind ACA funding (use this fact sheet from NACHC and this fact sheet from the National HCH Council in your meetings).
- Cuts to SAMHSA harm vulnerable individuals and increase the incidence of homelessness. Support the Senate SAMHSA appropriation and sign onto Rep. Napalitano's Dear Colleague Letter to restore SAMHSA funding in the House.
- The inclusion of significant new revenues is the only way to reduce the deficit without harming vulnerable Americans and is supported by a large majority of the public.
- If the meeting goes well, please ask your Representative to speak with their leadership about these concerns and priorities.
If you would like additional assistance preparing for your meeting please contact Dan Rabbitt at drabbitt@nhchc.org. If you are unable to schedule a meeting please make a phone call relaying the above points. Make sure to let Dan Rabbitt know how your efforts go and keep up the great work! |
