Legislative Advocacy
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Legislative Advocacy September 23, 2011
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Legislative Advocacy. September 23, 2011. Continuing Economic Crisis. Economic outlook has worsened – state revenue forecast was down $1.4 billion Budget reductions are the order of the day: Governor instructed state agencies to provide two reduction scenarios: 5% cuts and 10% cuts - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Legislative Advocacy
Legislative AdvocacySeptember 23, 2011
Continuing Economic Crisis• Economic outlook has worsened – state
revenue forecast was down $1.4 billion• Budget reductions are the order of the day:
– Governor instructed state agencies to provide two reduction scenarios: 5% cuts and 10% cuts
– Timing of cuts are uncertain: could be part of next year’s budget or could be sooner
State Level Threats• Legislators are already eyeing for elimination:
– Basic Health– Disability Lifeline– Medicaid adult prescription drugs– Apple Health for Kids
– Eligibility– Cost-sharing
– Oral health care, including for pregnant women and ABCD
Federal Level Threats• Proposals to change the Medicaid program
would impact our Medicaid patients and may undermine the financial stability of every health center.
• Federal support for the expansion of health centers has already been reduced and further reductions could dramatically impact existing health centers.
Federal Level Threats• Congressional Super Committee
• Everything is on the table• Funding• Possible policy changes –
• Stability Protections (Maintenance of Effort/MOE)• Eligibility• Benefits and cost-sharing• Potential impact for CHIPRA Performance Bonus Award
for Washington?
Together we are louder
Advocacy Worked in 2011While our communities are feeling the pain of budget cuts that did occur . . .We ended up in a better position at the end of legislative session than where we began: – We protected Disability Lifeline Medical– Basic Health was preserved– Children’s Health Program remained an
entitlement– Community health centers remained viable
Current Advocacy Opportunities• Writing and publishing op-eds and letters to
the editor• www.SaveOurCHCs.org– national call in day October 13
• www.SaveHealthCareinWA.org• www.ChildrensAlliance.org• Story gathering
Story GatheringWhy? Bringing the impacts of cuts on real people to life is the best
tool we have to convince legislators, the media and the public.
Which stories? – Basic Health patients– Disability Lifeline clients– Medicaid patients– Adults receiving dental care– Dedicated Providers – Children and Families
For more details…
Contact Katie Hewitt:[email protected]
and
Lan Nguyen:[email protected]
