Ask Your Senators to Extend Medicaid, Physician Payment Funding

Dear Members and Friends,


The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is asking for your help. Right now, states are in danger of losing critical extra federal assistance for Medicaid—putting millions of low-income seniors and children at risk. The Senate is about to vote on extending increased Medicaid funding to the states. But 60 more votes are needed for this to pass.


Millions of low-income seniors and children are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage.

Last year, Congress provided an extra $87 million in Medicaid funding to states. This critical aid meant states didn't have to cut Medicaid at a time when the economic downturn was making even more individuals eligible for help.

This extra Medicaid funding is set to expire on Dec. 31—leaving state budgets in even more dire circumstances. Congress must act now to extend it, so states can plan their 2011 budgets.

You can help.

Email your Senators now and urge them to vote YES to extend extra federal Medicaid funding to the states.

The "extenders bill" will:

• Extend extra federal Medicaid payments to states for another six months.
• Postpone payment cuts to Medicare doctors.
• Extend unemployment benefits.

Go here to email your Senator or use the following message* to write a letter to your Senator:

Please Vote YES for the Extenders Bill

Dear Senator,

* (Please personalize your message)

I am writing to urge you to pass the extenders bill, which provides much-needed Medicaid assistance to states, delays potentially devastating cuts to physician payments, and extends unemployment insurance.

Allowing the Medicaid increase to expire will put millions of Americans at risk, many of them low-income seniors and children. Extending the extra funding another six months will save states from closing budget gaps with brutal cuts in Medicaid.

Delaying the scheduled 21% cut to physician payments will help avoid serious access problems that seniors would face in attempting to see their doctor.

I'm asking you to help ensure that Congress passes the extenders bill.

Thank you for your consideration on this important issue.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

YOU can make a difference. Do it today.