E-Notes
March 11, 2005

In this issue of E-Notes, you'll find:

* Action Alert: Federal Medicaid Funding At Risk
* Voices Federal Budget Resources

Action Alert: Federal Medicaid Funding At Risk

The proposed federal budget approved by the U.S. Senate Budget Committee
includes major cuts in the Medicaid program.  These cuts, even deeper than
those proposed by President Bush, are likely to increase the number of
uninsured families and reduce access to health care.  Debate on the federal
budget resolution is expected to begin on the floor of the U.S. Senate today
(Friday).

Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) plans to introduce an amendment on the floor of
the Senate that would strike Medicaid cuts in the budget resolution and
create a bipartisan commission to study Medicaid and offer recommendations
on how to improve service delivery and quality in a cost-effective manner.

Please call Senators Dodd and Lieberman today and tell them, "Please support
Senator Smith's amendment to strike Medicaid cuts in the budget resolution
and replace it with a bipartisan study commission."
Senator Dodd: (202) 224-2823
Senator Lieberman: (202) 224-4041

The Senate's proposed cuts in Medicaid and the State Children's Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) are even greater than those proposed by the Bush
Administration, as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has outlined:
http://www.cbpp.org/3-10-05health2.htm

There will be further important amendments in the coming days aimed at
reducing the negative impact of the Senate budget.  CT Voices for Children
may send further updates on these as the budget process continues.


Voices Federal Budget Resources

Connecticut Voices has created several fact sheet resources on the federal
budget, with more in development.  These include:

*  Why the Federal Budget Matters to Connecticut  
*  8 Things Everyone Needs to Know About the President's Proposed Budget
*  Federal Funding for Public Health & Medical Research at Risk  
*  Income Security Funding at Risk: President Bush Proposes Deep Cuts in
Programs That Support Low-Income Families  
*  Federal Education Funding at Risk  
*  Environmental and Transportation Funding at Risk

These briefs can be found at
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_issue_42.html

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