A congressional “super committee” tasked with slashing $1.5 trillion from the federal budget will likely propose deep cuts to Medicaid, according to the newest PHI “Medicaid Matters” fact sheet.
“Medicaid Matters…in Super Committee Deficit Reduction Deliberations” (pdf) explains why Medicaid will prove to be a particularly vulnerable target to the super committee, which met today for the first time.
The PHI Medicaid fact sheet also urges advocates to call or write members of the super committee or their own members of Congress to let them know how important Medicaid is to seniors, people with disabilities, and direct-care workers, and to urge them to protect it from devastating cuts.
Formation of Super Committee
Last month’s Budget Control Act — the last-minute deal that authorized a raise in the federal debt ceiling — called for the formation of a bipartisan committee of 12 senators and representatives, charged with devising a way to cut the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years.
The committee has until November 23 to submit its proposed cuts; Congress must vote on its proposal by December 23.
The so-called super committee is chaired by Sen. Patty Murray (D, WA) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R, TX). A full list of committee members can be found in the PHI “Medicaid Matters” fact sheet.
Medicaid in the Crosshairs
“Medicaid Matters…in Super Committee Deficit Reduction Deliberations” lists numerous reasons why Medicaid funding is especially at risk, even when compared to other middle-class economic-security programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
For example, the sheer size of Medicaid will make it a target for both Democratic and Republican super committee members, the report notes.
Additionally, Republican committee members have already publicly promoted a weakening of Medicaid. In April, all three of the super committee’s Republican representatives voted for an FY12 House budget resolution that would diminish Medicaid’s federal funding by converting it to a block grant.
Pushing Back Against Medicaid Cuts
Medicaid is a critical program for everyone in America because it:
- Pays for the majority (62 percent) of costs related to long-term care services and supports
- Funds millions of direct-care jobs, fueling the nation’s economy
- Will be responsible for the coverage of millions of currently uninsured Americans — including 365,000 direct-care workers — under the terms of the Affordable Care Act
Advocates have already begun to mobilize to prevent the super committee from slashing Medicaid.
The disability-rights organization ADAPT will host a rally on Capitol Hill on September 21, joined by members from approximately 40 other disability, aging, and civil rights groups.
– by Matthew Ozga
In a move that does not create binding law but does reflect the growing significance of eldercare as a rising political issue, Congress has unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the need for affordable, quality caregiving in America. 
