New Bush Administration Rule Threatens Community Health Care

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Operated by: Planned Parenthood of New York City

New Bush Administration Rule Threatens Community Health Care

Congress has just returned from its summer recess, and we need them to stop a proposed rule from taking effect that could close the doors of Planned Parenthood and other vital health care service centers in your community. We need your help now. Send an important message to your Member of Congress today.

The rule would cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthoods and other health care service providers by more than $450 million, affecting New York’s most vulnerable patients, namely poor, young and immigrant women. The Medicaid funding cuts could force the closure of many of New York’s free standing clinics, including those providing adult day care, dialysis, substance abuse counseling, family planning, mental health care, and developmental disability services.

Congress must take action immediately to prevent this misguided rule from taking effect. We must act now, or New York’s most vulnerable could ultimately pay the price.

Please, take action today. Tell your member of Congress to fight this rule and ensure the preservation of health care services in your community.

Keep up the good fight,

Melissa Lee
Grassroots Organizer, PPNYC

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Stop Bush's Dangerous CMS Rule

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a constituent who cares about health care in my community, I am appalled by the Bush Administration's attempt to drastically cut funding for community health clinics through a dangerous CMS Proposed Rule on Hospital/Outpatient and Community Clinic Services.

If this rule goes into effect, New York's health care providers could see funding slashed by more than $450 million. These cuts would be disastrous and could result in the closure of health clinics in my community.

Please take action to prevent these cuts from taking place. I urge you and your colleagues to pass a moratorium, preventing this misguided rule from taking effect.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 09, 2008

Background Information

What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a program for New Yorkers who can't afford to pay for medical care. It is vitally important for New York’s poorest and includes programs like Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus and several family planning benefit programs which provide individuals and families with health coverage who make less than $34,000 per year for a family of four.

How would the new rule affect New York’s Medicaid Programs?
In the most basic sense, the new rules from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) would severely cut federal funding to New York's health care safety net.

It greatly restricts payment for outpatient services such as clinic settings without taking into account the true cost of the service.

The potential loss in New York State is more than $450 million in federal funding for New York State's clinic providers including a cut of more than $22 million to New York's family planning providers.

Community based providers that provide essential primary care medical services, including family planning will be unable to sustain these critical services if the Federal share is taken away. In other words, clinics across New York State will have to close.

Don't let Planned Parenthood's doors close. Take action today.