Though Oregon Action is focusing its efforts on step by step reforms such as prescription drug cost containment through the expansion of the Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool, we also have to ensure that federal funding for supporting programs that work remains stable.
Now we are facing an even greater threat to the modest healthcare programs we do have that cover the elderly, children and low/no-income families and individuals.
Medicaid is the federal assistance program that provides matching funds to the states. It is the source of federal funding for the Oregon Health Plan as well as a host of programs providing long-term care to the elderly and basic coverage for children. Over 400,000 Oregonians receive healthcare from Medicaid through state programs.
The current federal budget proposal slashes Medicaid funding to the states by $60 billion forcing Oregon to throw even more people off the Oregon Health Plan and reducing or eliminating many services to seniors and children. This would deepen the healthcare crisis for everyone by forcing more people into emergency care and increasing insurance premiums for those who still have it.
This scenario is the very reason Oregon created the highly successful Oregon Health Plan in the first place - and when properly funded - it worked! Health insurance premium stabilized as the number of Oregonians with preventative healthcare increased!
What about the deficit?
The proposed cuts are so we can pay for continuing the tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans. The budget proposal would make these tax cuts permanent. So we are eliminating healthcare for our seniors and children so that the top 10% of Americans can enjoy tax cuts at their expense. We would be balancing the budget on the backs of those least able to afford it.
Both Oregon Senators sit on the Senate Budget Committee. Senator Smith has publically stated his support for no cuts to Medicaid and introduced a bill to protect it, so thank him and urge him to remain strong. Senator Wyden has also voiced his support for Medicaid, though less broadly.
Contact them today by email or letter and tell them:
NO CUTS, NO BLOCK GRANTS, NO CAPS TO MEDICAID
Share a healthcare story about yourself or someone you know and be sure to include your address.
Click here for a link to the page with all the contact information for both senators.