Groups Send Letter To Congress Oppose Reductions in Federal Medicaid Funds in Final Budget Bill
A coalition of 135 organizations that represent medical specialties, unions and religious groups have sent a letter to Congress that asks House and Senate conferees to eliminate all proposed reductions in federal funds for Medicaid from the final fiscal year 2006 budget bill, CQ HealthBeat reports.
The letter -- signed by AFL-CIO, the American Diabetes Association, Catholic Charities USA and other organizations -- said that the "elimination of such cuts is essential for the health and long-term care of Medicaid enrollees, the providers who serve them, and state and local units of governments."
The letter also said that "any changes to the program should be driven by policy and not by arbitrary budget numbers" (CQ HealthBeat, 4/25).