AIDS Issues Update: News:
Action Alert: Stop New York State Republicans From Eviscerating Medicaid! (UPDATED)
Tell Albany leaders that “optional” cuts can’t be an option
Update, Friday, November 20: Thanks for all the calls you’ve made! The leaders have heard us, so you do not need to call any more this week! We’ll keep you updated on future developments and next steps.
Governor Paterson has proposed mid-year cuts to the New York State budget. But the Republicans in the New York State Assembly and Senate have proposed even deeper cuts than what the Governor had in mind.
Both the Assembly and Senate Republicans have proposed that the Governor cut Medicaid Optional Services.
Medicaid Optional Services are services that the federal government tells states that they do not have to provide because they are “optional.”
It’s bad enough that some of these items—including dental care, case management and medication—are listed as “optional.” It’s worse that the New York State Republicans want to cut them.
What can you do?
Today and tomorrow make five calls to the leaders of the Senate and Assembly:
First call:
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb: (518) 455-3751
Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos: (518) 455-3171
Tell them:“Optional is not optional for me! I am a person living with HIV. [or, I work with people living with HIV]. These services that you are looking to cut could be deadly, especially in the middle of a major flu epidemic. It is not a fair fight to beat up on the poor and frail. You cannot think that you can balance you budget on our already broken backs!”
Then call:
Senate President Malcolm A. Smith: (518) 455-2701
Senate Conference Leader John L. Sampson: (518) 455-2788
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver: (518) 455-3791
Tell them:“We thank you for throwing off the table the proposal to cut Medicaid Optional Services. We are counting on you to continue to stop this proposal dead in its tracks before we become dead in our tracks because these vital services are gone!”
These “optional” services include:
- Prescription drugs
- Medical care or remedial care furnished
by other licensed practitioners - Rehabilitation and other therapies
- Clinic services
- Dental services, dentures
- Prosthetic devices, eyeglasses, durable
medical equipment - Primary care case management
- TB-related services
- Other specialist medical or remedial
care
To learn more, read about Pamela Bates, a woman who could be forced into a nursing home if these “optional” cuts go into effect.
Your inside source for in-depth activism news is updated daily by Staff Writer, Julie Turkewitz
