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On the Issues
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health care and long-term care program for low-income Americans that is jointly funded by the states (43%) and the federal government (57%). Because of the growing ranks of the uninsured, more Americans are relying on Medicaid, and many states are struggling to fund their share of the program costs.
At a time when the federal government should be helping states maintain their Medicaid programs, the President has proposed significantly reducing net federal funding for the program over the next ten years. The President’s 2009 budget proposes direct funding cuts of $48 billion over ten years. It recommends another $35 billion in cuts through regulatory changes, such as reduced reimbursement for targeted care case management, generic drugs, and state administrative payments.
In total, the President has recommended $83 billion in cuts to Medicaid, effectively transferring more costs to the states. Most states would not be able to absorb this added burden and would be forced to choose between serving fewer people or reducing the scope of benefits. I believe Medicaid is a valuable safety net program and will continue fighting efforts to cut federal programs that benefit the most vulnerable among us.
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U.S. House of Representatives
2162 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.1784
Fax: 202.225.2014 |
411 W. Chapel Hill Street
NC Mutual Building, 9th Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919.688.3004
Fax: 919.688.0940 |
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Suite 205
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919.859.5999
Fax: 919.859.5998 |
88 Vilcom Center
Suite 140
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919.967.7924
Fax: 919.967.8324 |
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