Legislation Introduced to Provide Emergency Relief to State
Medicaid Programs

Urge Your Representatives to Co-Sponsor These Life-Saving Bills

Last month, two very important bills were introduced to provide
much needed fiscal relief to state Medicaid programs. The Senate
version of the bill, S. 2671, authored by Senators Jay
Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), would
give state Medicaid programs $4.8 billion over 15 months. The
House version of the bill, H.R. 4961, authored by
Representatives Peter King (R-New York) and Sherrod Brown
(D-Ohio), would provide $6 billion in temporary state Medicaid
relief.

Medicaid continues to be a lifeline for thousands of people
living with HIV/AIDS. It serves over 50% of people with HIV/AIDS
in the United States, and more than 90% of children with AIDS.
Last year, a bill was passed that gave states $10 billion for
temporary Medicaid relief, but it expired on July 1st and no
further money has been available. The $10 billion allowed many
states to avoid drastic cuts and program changes. Unless an
extension of this federal relief is provided, those who rely on
Medicaid for lifesaving care and treatment will be terribly
affected.

You can make a huge difference for these people by taking a few
minutes in August to ask your senators and representative to
co-sponsor these bills.

How You Can Help:
Congress is now on "August recess," and many senators and
representatives have returned home to work in their district
offices. It is a great time to talk with them and their staff
about this issue.

Here is how you can make your voice heard:

*Call your two senators in their district office. Tell whoever
answers the phone:

"I am calling to urge Senator_______________ to co-sponsor S.
2671. This bill would provide badly needed fiscal relief for
state Medicaid programs."

*Then call your representative in his/her district office and
say:

"I am calling to urge Representative _______________ to
co-sponsor H.R. 4961. This bill would provide badly needed
fiscal relief for state Medicaid programs."

How to Find Your Local District Office:
Click here
(http://ga1.org/ct/gdqEh741VpTg/House_of_Reps_Directory/) to
find your local House Representative; and click here
(http://ga1.org/ct/gpqEh741VpT6/Senate_Directory/) to find your
local Senator.

You also can find this information on Project Inform's
legislative directory
http://ga1.org/ct/g7qEh741VpTb/Project_Inform).

If you need help finding out who represents you in Congress,
click here (http://ga1.org/ct/b1qEh741VpTO/Vote_Smart/).

All other questions about this legislation can be directed to
Ryan Clary, Senior Policy Advocate, via telephone: (415)
558-8669 ext. 224; or fax: (415) 558-0684.

Additional Information
The HIV Medicaid/Medicare Working Group is a national coalition
of advocates working to protect and expand Medicaid and Medicare
for people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information about the
working group, contact them by e-mail
(theaccessproject@...).

_____________________________________________________________________

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