Medicaid Commission Holds First Meeting 36 Days

Timing and Substance of First Report, Which Recommends How to Cut $10 Billion from Medicaid, Show Commission Is a “Rubber Stamp” for the Bush Administration

Washington, D.C. - The Medicaid Commission is scheduled to conduct its first meeting today, a mere 36 days before its first report is due—a report that recommends how to cut $10 billion from the Medicaid program. The following is the statement of Kathleen Stoll, Health Policy Director for Families USA, about the Commission:

"With only 36 days remaining before the Bush Administration's deadline for proposing $10 billion in Medicaid cuts, the Medicaid Commission is conducting its very first meeting. This time frame clearly shows why the commission is, and should be, viewed as a rubber stamp for the Administration's attempts to slash America's health safety net.

"Neither the congressional budget resolution nor any law requires Medicaid cuts of $10 billion. Yet, the Administration insists that its newly appointed Medicaid Commission find $10 billion in cuts in only 36 days. This pace makes rational deliberation impossible. The commission can only meet this deadline if it simply ratifies pre-determined outcomes.

"The 53 million children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others who rely on Medicaid as their health safety net deserve more thoughtful and compassionate analysis of how the nation will meet the health care needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it appears that they will have to look elsewhere for such careful consideration."

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org