Message from Green Mountain Self-Advocates: -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 9:15 AM Subject: Action Alert!!! We all know we are facing budget problems in Vermont. There is something you can do to help. Please call: Senators Leahy 1-800-642-3193 Senator Sanders 1-800-339-9834 Representative Welch 1-888-605-7270 TODAY if possible or as soon as you can. Tell them to vote for increasing the federal match money for Medicaid. Tell them how you need you services and why they are important. So here is what that means... Some of money for your services comes from the state (down in Montpelier) and some comes from the federal government (down in Washington DC). We need more money from Washington DC to stop the budget cuts. Here are more details but it may be hard to understand. Call Your Senators TODAY to Include Medicaid Relief in the Economic Stimulus Package Summary: Most states are facing severe budget shortfalls. As budgets shrink, many states have begun cutting their Medicaid programs which are a lifeline for people with disabilities. The disability community and other Medicaid stakeholders are seeking help for states and local governments included in the economic stimulus package in the form of an increase in the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). FMAP is the federal government's share of Medicaid spending. The current FMAP formula does not reflect the current economic downturn and corresponding state budget crises. Senate Democrats introduced a $100.3 billion economic stimulus bill (S. 3689) yesterday. This bill includes: * $37.8 billion for state Medicaid programs (8%) * $1 billion increase for NIH * $25 billion in loans for automakers * $700 million in grants for public-housing agencies * $13 billion for infrastructure projects including bridge construction and highway repair. Republicans are expected to oppose considering the bill before January when Democrats plan to push a more expansive plan. The Senate plans to vote on the economic stimulus bill this week. The House will vote on the economic stimulus bill if the Senate passes it first. Action Needed: You can also call the Capitol Switchboard and ask to speak to your Senators at 1-800-473-6711. Urge them to include Medicaid relief in the Stimulus package. This email message may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this email message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email message from your computer. CAUTION: The Agency of Human Services cannot ensure the confidentiality or security of email transmissions.