Washington, D. C. - Bush Administration is expected to announce the creation of a new commission designed to make recommendations about the future of the Medicaid program. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about the Bush Administration's Medicaid Commission.
"The need for a bipartisan and thoughtful process to consider the long-term role of Medicaid is very obvious. The Medicaid Commission created by the Bush Administration, however, is more likely to be a sham that will only rubber-stamp predetermined conclusions designed to cut back vital health services for America's elderly, children, and other vulnerable groups.
"For three years, the Bush Administration has tried to convert Medicaid to a block grant. This year, it has led very destructive efforts to reduce federal Medicaid funding to the states-even over the opposition of governors, a bipartisan majority of Senate and House members, and the program's key stakeholders.
"The very first assignment to the Administration-appointed Commission demonstrates this bias. It has been tasked by the Administration to determine what policies should be enacted to cut back an arbitrary $10 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next five years. This is a classic case of placing the cart before the horse.
"Medicaid today is the safety net for people most affected by America's health care problems. It provides health coverage for 53 million people, most of whom would otherwise be uninsured. It rescues families whose breadwinner has lost employer-provided health coverage. It provides nursing home and long-term care protection for the elderly and people with disabilities. And it provides these services far more cost-effectively than the private sector.
"Medicaid's future role in America's health care system deserves thoughtful and unbiased analysis. Unfortunately, this Administration-appointed Commission will not have the credibility it needs to serve that purpose."
