ALERT!

Calls/Emails/Faxes Needed As Soon As Possible!

PROTECT ACCESS TO MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE!

Background

Providing fiscal relief to states to preserve Medicaid long term care services is one of the Alzheimer’s Association’s top legislative priorities this year. During the Association’s Public Policy Forum in April, nearly 500 Alzheimer advocates converged on Capitol Hill to educate their members of Congress about key issues affecting Alzheimer families, including the importance of maintaining funding for Medicaid long term care services. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of these advocates our Medicaid message was heard!

On May 15 the Senate voted 95-3 in support of an amendment to provide $20 billion in fiscal relief for the states - $10 billion of which would be used to increase funding for Medicaid services. Although the Senate vote is a huge victory for advocates, the fight isn’t over yet because the House passed a different version of the bill that did not include any money for state fiscal relief. A conference committee made up of representatives from both chambers will decide whether the $20 billion for state fiscal relief and Medicaid remains in the final bill.

Action Requested

There is still time to influence the final outcome of this bill. Members of the House can be convinced to support the additional funding for state fiscal relief and Medicaid that was included in the Senate bill if they hear from a large number of advocates on this issue. Call, e-mail or fax your Representative today. Ask him/her to support the Senate language providing $20 billion in help to the states! Emphasize that:

· Medicaid is the only significant source of financial assistance for long term care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

· Half of all Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease rely on Medicaid to help pay for long term care and prescription drugs because they have spent all of their own resources and qualify for assistance.

· Access to Medicaid long term care services is being threatened by the budget crises in the states.

· If you can, tell a personal story about why Medicaid is so important to your family.

Find your Representative and/or to send an e-mail to Congress go to: http://www.alz.org/Advocates/Join/write.htm


For more information on Alzheimer Advocacy visit: http://www.alz.org/Advocates/overview.htm.