APHA Chides House for Passage of Budget Resolution Calling for Draconian Cuts to Medicaid; Statement From APHA Executive Director
Posted on: Friday, 18 March 2005, 15:00 CST
WASHINGTON, March 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement By Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of American Public Health Association, on its Passage of a budget resolution that calls for Cuts to Medicaid:
"We are greatly disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday failed to follow the Senate's lead in shielding the Medicaid program from debilitating cuts. The roughly $20 billion in reductions over five years approved by the House are more than double the administration's proposed cuts over the same time period, greatly jeopardizing the security of the source of primary and preventive health care for 50 million of our nation's citizens.
"The actions of the House are short-sighted and misguided. By attempting to achieve deficit reduction on the backs of our most vulnerable, including children and lower-income Americans, we place their health at risk and will ultimately pay higher health care costs in treating disease.
"We hope that these members will go back to their districts and learn about the impact of the cuts in their communities. How will local officials find the revenue streams to fund needed health programs? How many more uninsured and underinsured residents will result? How will this affect the access to critical prevention services? How will this affect the demand for emergency health services? We encourage Americans to contact their representatives and tell them how the paring of Medicaid will impact their lives.
"The Senate took a courageous stand in protecting Americans' access to health care; we hope the House will rethink its position that strips funding from an invaluable entitlement program that is a lifeline for millions. We urge the conference committee to adopt the Senate's position and protect Medicaid and the health of Americans."
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The American Public Health Association, the oldest organization of public health professionals, represents more than 50,000 members from over 50 public health occupations. More information is available at http://www.apha.org
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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