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Arc Action Alert: Call to save FMAP

May 5th, 2010

Action Alert from The Arc of Virginia

The clock is ticking on state budgets.  Nearly all states are finalizing their 2011 budgets that begin on July 1.  And many have already factored in an increase in the federal governments share of Medicaid (known as the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP)).  At least 25 states including Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Virginia are already relying on this increased funding in their FY11 state budgets.

Without swift enactment of a six-month FMAP extension, states will be forced to make very deep cuts in programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.

Congress must pass the FMAP extension NOW.

Several members of Congress have drafted a “Dear Colleague” letter to urging the leadership in this House of Representatives to help enact legislation to extend the Medicaid FMAP.  Click here to read the letter.

Click here to TAKE ACTION!

 Please call your representative’s office as soon as possible.  The phone number and sample talking points are provided when you click on the “Take Action” link.

 What to say:

• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to urge Representative _________________to sign-on to the FMAP Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Representatives Pingree, Baldwin, Green and Capps.
• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase, we will lose vital services.
• The deadline for signing on is the end of this week. Offices that agree to sign-on should contact jennifer.taylor@mail.house.gov in Rep. Pingree’s office.

Please call. The reality is that staff on Capitol Hill rarely read constituent email anymore.  There is just too much of it to keep track of.  The best measures they have about what constituents need are telephone calls or personal visits.

 Thank you in advance for your advocacy.