legislative advocacy

Legislative AdvocacySeptember 23, 2011

Continuing Economic Crisis• Economic outlook has worsened – state

revenue forecast was down $1.4 billion• Budget reductions are the order of the day:

– Governor instructed state agencies to provide two reduction scenarios: 5% cuts and 10% cuts

– Timing of cuts are uncertain: could be part of next year’s budget or could be sooner

State Level Threats• Legislators are already eyeing for elimination:

– Basic Health– Disability Lifeline– Medicaid adult prescription drugs– Apple Health for Kids

– Eligibility– Cost-sharing

– Oral health care, including for pregnant women and ABCD

Federal Level Threats• Proposals to change the Medicaid program

would impact our Medicaid patients and may undermine the financial stability of every health center.

• Federal support for the expansion of health centers has already been reduced and further reductions could dramatically impact existing health centers.

Federal Level Threats• Congressional Super Committee

• Everything is on the table• Funding• Possible policy changes –

• Stability Protections (Maintenance of Effort/MOE)• Eligibility• Benefits and cost-sharing• Potential impact for CHIPRA Performance Bonus Award

for Washington?

Together we are louder

Advocacy Worked in 2011While our communities are feeling the pain of budget cuts that did occur . . .We ended up in a better position at the end of legislative session than where we began: – We protected Disability Lifeline Medical– Basic Health was preserved– Children’s Health Program remained an

entitlement– Community health centers remained viable

Current Advocacy Opportunities• Writing and publishing op-eds and letters to

the editor• www.SaveOurCHCs.org– national call in day October 13

• www.SaveHealthCareinWA.org• www.ChildrensAlliance.org• Story gathering

Story GatheringWhy? Bringing the impacts of cuts on real people to life is the best

tool we have to convince legislators, the media and the public.

Which stories? – Basic Health patients– Disability Lifeline clients– Medicaid patients– Adults receiving dental care– Dedicated Providers – Children and Families

For more details…

Contact Katie Hewitt:katie.hewitt@chpw.org

and

Lan Nguyen:lan@childrensalliance.org

Questions?

Contact information:

Katie Hewitt: 206-652-7107katie.hewitt@chpw.org

Lan Nguyen: 206-324-0340lan@childrensalliance.org