AIDS Action Network Alert

The Congress is moving with rapid-fire speed to "reform" Medicaid--that is, to put in place a new block grant program that is likely to have a gravely detrimental effect on people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronically ill people. Attached is a question-and-answer sheet which outlines critical components of the proposal set forward last week by Republican members of the House of Representatives, who worked closely with Republican governors. Early reports indicate that the Senate bill is only marginally better than the House bill. By the end of this week, committee action on Medicaid will be completed. The House is most likely to move the legislation before the Senate. The week of October 9 is the earliest possible time for House floor action.

Next week, senators and representatives will be in their home districts all week. This is a critical opportunity for grassroots advocacy. Try to schedule meetings with your members of Congress and their staffs while they are in your district.

AIDS Action:

If your political representatives are AIDS-friendly, approach them about their interest in raising the impact of Medicaid cuts on the HIV epidemic on the House and Senate floors when the bills are debated. AIDS Action can follow up with help on floor statements and other strategies.

Reach out to members of the press. The mainstream media has so far failed to document the human impact of these proposed cuts. Use the attached material, and supplement it with stories from your own experience about how important Medicaid is to people with HIV/AIDS. Urge them to ask your governor about how the state will adjust to a dramatic cut in health funds.

Talk to the local community press about doing a Medicaid story. Contact your local lesbian and gay, people of color, women's and other weeklies.

Participate in a public action in your community. AIDS Action is working with Citizen Action, the Long-term Care Campaign, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Service Employees International Union and others to coordinate the October 5 NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION to oppose cuts in Medicaid and Medicare.

* Data in this summary was compiled by AIDS Action Council and National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Epidemiological data was provided by the state health department. Funding amounts were provided by the appropriate federal agency, and are from the most current fiscal year that state-by-state data is available. May, 1995.