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URGENT ADVOCACY ALERT
November 1, 2001

Federal Economic Stimulus Package Must Provide Relief to Working Poor and State Programs for the Poor

The economic recession and the September 11 attacks have put tremendous fiscal pressure on states, especially on their Medicaid programs. Many states are planning for deep Medicaid cuts ,including Washington State. Governor Locke has directed DSHS to come up with $473 million in possible cuts--with the majority coming from medical assistance and long-term care programs. Programs such as adult dental, Medically Indigent, COPES, Medicaid personal care are all at risk, as well as enrollment in CHIP and medical programs for immigrants.

National advocacy groups are urging Congress to increase the federal Medicaid matching rates as part of the economic stimulus package. This would reduce the pressure on states to cut medical and long-term care programs that serve low-income seniors, disabled, children, parents and immigrants.

Please contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and urge them to support including an increase in the federal Medicaid matching rate as part of the economic stimulus package.

Sen. Murray (202) 2242621  senator_murray@murray.senate.gov 

Sen. Cantwell (202) 2243441  maria@cantwell.senate.gov

For more Information, Please feel free to call or e-mail me.

Thanks for your help!

Sara Fleming Merten 

http://www.thewac.org