Save Medicaid - National Day of Action Planned;
Istook/McIntosh Amendments and Lobby Rreform

National Day of Action to Protect Medicaid

December 7 is a "National Day of Action to Protect Medicaid." The nationwide events are sponsored by The Long Term Care Campaign located in Washington, DC. Events are currently planned in 14 cities, and local coordinators are needed for other locations. The Long Term Care Campaign is committed to the long term health care needs of people and is a strong advocate for those who depend on long term care financed through the Medicaid program.

AIDS Action urges your support of this national day of action. Many exciting events are planned, including candlelight vigils and marches to city councils and state houses. We need many more local coordinators to make a strong and effective statement to all levels of government.

Cities with planned events include: Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA; Hartford, CT; Wilmington, DE; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago and Springfield, IL; Des Moines, IA; Portland, ME; Boston, MA; Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN; St. Louis, MO; Concord, NH; Northeast New Jersey; New York City; Albany, NY; Cleveland, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Providence, RI; Burlington, VT; Seattle, WA; and Milwaukee, WI. We need more cities involved. If you or someone you know wishes to coordinate your local event or get involved with a planned activity, please contact Steve Cha at The Long Term Care Campaign at 202-434-3744.

All Medicaid advocates must join forces to keep the Medicaid issue alive during the next three weeks. It is very important for advocacy groups to work together to save the health care safety net for our country's sick and needy. Now is the time to speak up and speak out.

Istook/McIntosh "Silence America" Amendment

Fortunately, action on the lobby reform legislation has been postponed until Wednesday, November 29. Another attempt to attach the Istook/McIntosh amendment to lobby reform is expected. You still have time to call your members and let them know that non-profits cannot and must not be silenced. Non-profits are the voice for millions of people across the country who count on these agencies for support, including advocating on their behalf when necessary. Call today.

The following Republican House members are still undecided on this issue: Bachus (R-AL); Bilirakis (R-FL); Blute (R-MA); Bonilla (R-TX); Bono (R-CA); Bunn (R-OR); Clinger (R-PA); Diaz-Balart (R-FL); Duncan (R-TN); Franks (R-CT); Frelinghuysen (R-NJ); Goodling (R-PA): Hoekstra (R-MI); Knollenberg (R-MI): Lazio (R-NY); Lewis (R-CA); Nethercutt (R-WA); Packard (R-CA); Regula (R-OH); Rogers (R-KY); Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); Walsh (R-NY); Wolf (R-VA); Young (R-FL); and Zimmer (R-NJ). Please call them and let them know you oppose this amendment.

All members of the House can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. E-mail addresses for your Representatives can be found posted in HandsNet at Resources/Congressional Contacts.

For more information, contact
AIDS Action Council
1875 Connecticut Avenue NW #700
Washington DC 20009
202-986-1300 x 3021
202-986-1345 (fax)
202-332-9614 (tty)
aidsaction@aidsaction.org