NEW MEDICAID COMMISSION APPOINTED BY HHS SECRETARY IS A “SHAM”

Requirement That Commission Must Propose $10 Billion in Medicaid Cuts within Eight Weeks of Appointment Underscores Its Lack of Credibility

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced the formation of the new Medicaid Commission. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about the Commission's formation:

"The new Medicaid Commission appointed by Secretary Leavitt today is a sham that deserves—and will receive—no credibility.

"The Commission's lack of credibility is underscored by its very first assignment. Less than eight weeks from its appointment today, even though no meetings have been conducted, the Commission is required to recommend how to slash $10 billion from the Medicaid budget. 

"This assignment flies in the face of common sense. Changes in Medicaid—the key health care safety net for 53 million children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others—should only occur after careful deliberation. Moreover, budget decisions should follow policy analysis, not vice versa, as the HHS Secretary has proposed.

"There is no requirement—in the existing congressional budget resolution or otherwise—that $10 billion be cut from Medicaid. The resolution requires cuts of $10 billion from programs under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, but it does not require $10 billion in Medicaid cuts.

"Today's announcement by the Secretary reinforces our judgment that this Commission is designed to promote pre-determined and very destructive Medicaid changes dictated by the Bush Administration. As such, it deserves no credibility."

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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.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org