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1/25/06
ACT NOW: LAST CHANCE TO
STOP $4.8 BILLION
IN MEDICAID CUTS!
On February 1, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote
on the Budget Reconciliation Bill (also known as the reconciliation
conference report). If enacted, this legislation could gut Medicaid,
the largest public payer of healthcare for people living with HIV/AIDS
in the United States and in New York. It would:
- Allow states to increase premiums and co-payments.
- Allow states to drop Medicaid patients who cannot
afford their co-pays.
- Allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions and
providers to refuse care if a person cannot afford the
co-pay.
- Deny Medicaid to current and new enrollees
who cannot provide acceptable proof of their citizenship and
their identity.
In the United States, 55% of people living with AIDS, 44% of people
living with HIV, and 90% of children living with HIV/AIDS rely
on Medicaid for their healthcare and medications. It is critical
that this legislation be stopped. Please contact your Representative
NOW and urge him or her to vote "NO" on the Budget Reconciliation
Bill.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 today and
ask to speak to your Representative. When you are connected,
tell them:
"My name is _______I live in your district in ______, New
York. I urge you to stand up for the 65,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS in New York State who depend on Medicaid for doctor
visits, case management, hospital care, and/or to access life-saving
prescription drugs. Stop the erosion of public health coverage. VOTE
NO on the Budget Reconciliation Bill."
If you don't know who your Representative is, you can find out
at www.house.gov.
NOTE: If your Representative voted against these
cuts in December, call and urge them to vote AGAINST the reconciliation
bill AGAIN.
On the other hand, if you live in Representatives Boehlert, King,
Fossella, Kelly, Sweeney, Walsh, Reynolds, or Kuhl's district,
call and tell them they have a second chance to do the right thing.
CALL TODAY 202.224.3121
© 2006 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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