On January 1, 2013, Congress passed a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. The deal delayed the automatic cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 from January 1 until March 1. While Medicare and Medicaid are safe from these cuts, the House and Senate will soon begin developing budget resolutions for adoption by April 15. These resolutions will present key opportunities for advocates to make sure that health care programs stay off the chopping block.

Recent Publications

The January 2013 Budget Deal: The American Taxpayer Relief Act and Medicaid explains how the law that was signed on New Year's Day to avert the fiscal cliff affects Medicaid and other programs for low-income people. (February 2013)

The 2013 New Year's Budget Deal and Medicaid: The Next Cliff explains how the deal that averted the fiscal cliff affects Medicaid. It also discusses additional upcoming threats to Medicaid and what advocates can do to protect the program. (January 2013)

Budget Timeline is a chart showing important dates in the federal budget process and the outcome of the fiscal cliff. (January 2013)

At Risk in the Budget Battle: Health Care for Communities of Color illustrates the disproportionate impact deficit reduction could have on communities of color. This fact sheet demonstrates how protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act are important for advancing health equity. (December 2012)

Talking Points: Medicaid and the Federal Deficit (November 2012)

Deficit Reduction: Tell Your Legislators to Protect Medicaid outlines points for evaluating deficit reduction proposals and how to talk to members of Congress about these proposals. (November 2012)

Will Congress Throw Medicaid Off the Fiscal Cliff? answers two basic questions: How did we get here?, and Where are we now? (November 2012)

See 2012 budget fight resources for information about last year's efforts.