ACT NOW:
Critical action needed to ensure temporary increase in Medicaid funds in economic stimulus package

As part of Congress’ economic stimulus package that is being developed to respond to the economic downturn, the Community Relations Committee is working with the UJC Washington Action Office to urge members of Congress to include a temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid. FMAP is the rate that the federal government pays for each state's Medicaid program. Administered by the states, the federal government matches state Medicaid dollars to serve the most vulnerable populations. Currently state revenue is beginning to fall significantly at the same time that demands for social services have begun to rise.

Nineteen states are already projecting a budget shortfall and the number is expected to rise sharply as governors release their 2009 budgets. By law, nearly every (49 out of 50 including New Jersey) state is required to have a balanced budget and state legislatures will be making cuts to meet this requirement. Medicaid, the key healthcare entitlement program for many social services provided to millions of Americans by the Jewish community, is jointly financed by federal and state funds. As a result, the program is likely to be cut at the same time that it will face increased appeals for access due to economic distress.

Action: Contact your Senators by e-mail, phone, or fax and urge them to support efforts to ensure that a temporary increase of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is included in the final economic stimulus legislation.

To contact your Senators, click here.

To send an e-mail to your Senators click here:

• Senator Frank Lautenberg
• Senator Robert Menendez