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We don't often reach out to you about federal matters, but this situation is urgent.
The Senate is considering a health care bill as we speak that could be introduced any day and passed by the 4th of July recess. This bill puts Medicaid in jeopardy (which currently effectively covers 37 million children nationwide) and will leave kids and families at risk. The bill has not been made public and we don't have all the details, but we know that we need to speak up.
You and I both know firsthand just how important Medicaid is to keeping children healthy. But Medicaid is in serious jeopardy. With half of all children in our state covered by Medicaid, every community in Washington will be affected.
We need your help. Let Congress know that you - together with the nearly 1000 pediatric health care providers statewide who are members of the WCAAP - are committed to protecting children and families.
Please join me and our other NAPNAPcolleagues in two Days of Action to protect Medicaid on Thursday, June 15th and Thursday, June 22nd. Here's how you can help:
- CALL: Contact Senators Murray (202-224-2621)and Cantwell (202-224-3441) and ask them to vote "NO" on any bill that cuts or caps Medicaid. Even if you think Sens. Murray and Cantwell are already supportive, it's important to reaffirm that the pediatric health community in Washington is deeply concerned about cuts to Medicaid. Every call counts! If you can't get through, try the district office near your home. If you have time, ask for a local meeting in the state. Here are some talking points:
- Hello. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner from Washington State. I am calling today to urge Senator (Cantwell or Murray) to oppose any funding cuts or caps to Medicaid in your health care bill.
- Medicaid covers children from low-income families and children with special health care needs. It's a lifeline program for nearly 900,000 children in our state.
- I am deeply concerned with any proposal to cut or cap federal funding for Medicaid in any way. Doing so would shift costs to states, likely leading to enrollment and benefit cuts, and leaving children worse off.
- {Insert brief anecdote if you have one of a patient on Medicaid who would be impacted}
- Through Medicaid, children are guaranteed benefits that cover a comprehensive array of medically necessary services, including developmental, vision and hearing screenings. Pediatricians recommend these services because they help diagnose, treat and prevent complex conditions right away, saving money and lives. Capping Medicaid funding means these services could be rolled back or eliminated altogether.
- In addition, Medicaid expansion allowed many previously uninsured parents to gain coverage, making them better able to care for their children. Any efforts to cap Medicaid funding or phase out Medicaid expansion would be devastating to children and their families.
- Please protect children's health care coverage and oppose any funding cuts or caps to Medicaid in any health care bill you consider.
- Thank you for all you do for children.
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WRITE. Consider an op-ed or a blog post to share stories about how Medicaid helps kids and families. In addition, here are some sample social media posts for you to consider sending out on June 15th and June 22nd using #DontCapMyCare. Twitter handles for all U.S. Senators: https://twitter.com/cspan/lists/senators/members. Sample messages:
- .@SenatorTwitterHandle: Medicaid gives WA kids a better chance for a healthy future. #DontCapMyCare
- .@SenatorTwitterHandle: I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner & my patients have one message: #DontCapMyCare. Keep Medicaid strong & #KeepKidsCovered!
- Medicaid matters for children. @SenatorTwitterHandle #DontCapMyCare. Protect Medicaid in your health care bill.
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SHARE. Feel free to forward this email to colleagues or use any of the information here to help others advocate for children.
Put June 15 and June 22 on your calendar now, and commit to making two phone calls and sharing your concerns via social media on those two days.
Jennifer Mannheim, ARNP
WA NAPNAP Legislative Chair
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