Congress' recent vote to
cut funding for Medicaid as part of its budget deal could have
serious consequences,
not only for recipients, but also for the national economy
As budget constraints force
many states to consider similar reforms, the Joint Center for
Political and Economic Studies' Health Policy Institute and the
American Public Health Association are hosting a forum today to
examine the likely consequences of the proposed federal and state
cuts, as well as the important role Medicaid plays in the larger
economy. Ongoing research on Medicaid's ability to automatically
adjust to changing economic conditions suggests that the program
could play a positive role in the nation's recovery from recession.
The forum, "Medicaid in Crisis:
It's Not Somebody Else's Problem," will be held at the National
Press Club's Holeman Lounge, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.,
from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Former Health and Human Services Secretary
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., will moderate.
"If we are serious about the
Department of Health and Human Services' goal of eliminating the
health disparities gap by 2010, adequately funded Medicaid plans
must be part of the approach," said Gail C. Christopher, vice
president for health, women and families and director of the Health
Policy Institute at the Joint Center. "While we certainly understand
the budget difficulties facing many states, we believe this unique
new research on Medicaid and the economy may give lawmakers pause
before making drastic cuts in the system."
Dr. Warren A. Jones, executive
director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, will give a state
perspective of the Medicaid debates that are underway in many
states, such as Calif., Fla., Iowa, Miss., Mo., and Tenn. In
addition, Stan Dorn, a senior legislative analyst at the Economic
and Social Research Institute, will preview research on the
counter-cyclical relationship between Medicaid spending and the
economy, and discuss available alternatives for limiting Medicaid
cost increases that do not jeopardize the program's basic
responsiveness to changing economic conditions.
"Medicaid provides invaluable
security for more than 50 million Americans, giving them access to
primary and preventive health services that are essential to their
well-being and, in many cases, their survival," said Dr. Georges C.
Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health
Association. "We hope that today's discussion will help identify
improvements to the program without leaving the vulnerable behind."