Medicaid Values People Campaign
The Threat to Medicaid
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has been charged with cutting $1.2 to $1.5 trillion from the deficit over 10 years, and must propose specific federal spending cuts by November 23rd. Entitlements, especially Medicaid, and other disability discretionary spending are marked with targets for the "Super Committee" to slash. We must be prepared to respond as Super Committee discussions unfold.
To win this battle, we must show that Medicaid is not just numbers on a ledger to be slashed, but is an essential part of the lives of people in every community across America. We must challenge our elected leaders to respond not to the "prize" of billions cut from a budget, but to the human stories we know all too well. This is the time for each of us to reach out to our networks - providers, individuals with disabilities, Direct Support Professionals, families, donors and other allies - and enlist their help in making the case that Medicaid Values People (MVP).
Our Message
Medicaid funds make possible vital, life-sustaining supports and services to people with disabilities. Cutting these funds will have devastating effects on individuals with disabilities, their families and their local economies.
This is the message we must convey to our elected representatives, to the media and the public, if we hope to save Medicaid from the indiscriminate budget axe.
This is not something you can put off until later. This is not something you can hope that others will do on your behalf. The time to act is now. This means you.
What You Should Do NOW
As this campaign moves forward, ANCOR will be prompting you to take certain actions. We will let you know when we think is the most effective time to contact your legislators, or the media. Right now, with no specific proposals coming from the super committee, we want you to do two things to help us prepare for the fight ahead.
First, we want you to send us stories that illustrate the life-sustaining benefits that Medicaid funds make possible. As an incentive, we're giving away several $150 gift cards and everyone who posts an entry will be eligible for the prize drawing. We'll use these stories to lobby lawmakers in Washington, to prepare materials for you to use in your community outreach, and we'll share them on the ANCOR website. (Click here to see instructions for posting your submission).
Second, we want you to get your network ready to respond on short notice to progress in the negotiations. Power comes in numbers. The broader your network, and the more members of your network you can get to make contact, the more powerful our message will be. You network should include your employees, the people you serve and their families, your board, funders and other allies in your community. This is a time to think big.
Make sure you're organized with phone numbers and email addresses so that when the word comes from ANCOR, your network can respond immediately.
We will continue to post additional instructions and resources throughout the fall. Stay connected to the campaign for all the latest information.
If you have questions, please contact Mary Pauline Jones.
Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of individuals with disabilities and cuts would result in less jobs and spending right in your back yard. Make sure the country knows how close to home Medicaid is-join the MVP Campaign today.
Medicaid Values People Campaign
