In case you or anyone else are interested, I just got this in my email:

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Medicaid Commission Created to Push Through Unwarranted Cuts
A Statement by Michael M. Faenza, MSSW President and CEO of NMHA

Contact:

Heather Cobb
hcobb@nmha.org or 703-797-2588

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 23, 2005) -- Last Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt established an anticipated Medicaid commission to recommend ways to reduce Medicaid spending by $10 billion over the next five years. The National Mental Health Association warns that a cut of this magnitude jeopardizes the lives of people with mental illnesses reliant on Medicaid.

NMHA, among other stakeholders, categorically opposed cutting Medicaid funding. Medicaid is the single largest source of financing for mental health care in this country, comprising over half of state and local spending on mental health services. It enables millions of low-income people to access critically needed mental health services.

Despite this program's importance, congressional leaders forced through a budget earlier this year requiring congressional committees overseeing Medicaid and other programs to cut $10 billion in federal spending. A bipartisan majority of the House and Senate rejected Medicaid cuts of that magnitude and called instead for an independent, nonpartisan Medicaid commission to study ways to improve -- but not necessarily cut -- the program.

Instead of forming this independent commission, the Administration tasked Sec. Leavitt with establishing an entity whose charter calls for the very outcome congressional majorities rejected: predetermined cuts of $10 billion.

As Governor of Utah, Sec. Leavitt made significant changes to that state´s Medicaid program, such as greatly increasing cost-sharing and instituting benefit packages that did not include mental health services. NMHA is concerned that a Commission appointed by Sec. Leavitt -- one without the voices or vote of people with disabilities -- will take a similar approach to "reforming" Medicaid by calling for a reduced federal Medicaid oversight and financing role.

It will be impossible to cut $10 billion in federal funding from the Medicaid program without harming vulnerable beneficiaries. This dramatic reduction will force states already struggling with budget constraints to further cut services, eligibility and/or increase required co-pays.

As Congress decides how to implement next year's budget, NMHA urges the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committees to look to other, less critical programs for this $10 billion budget savings.

The National Mental Health Association is the country´s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

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emmy