Extended Federal Medicaid Funds Signed into Law
by Susan Moreno on Aug. 11, 2010, under bi-polar, brain disorders, depression, Disability, General Mental Health, Health, health care reform, healthcare, homeless, Medicaid, mental illness, Obama, Politics, recovery, schizophrenia, stigma
It’s a really complicated world……all of us want to decrease the federal debt, but how can we when so much is needed? Increased spending on the borders and illegal immigration control is at the top of the “Rights” list, while taking care of our poor and disabled stay at the top of the “lefts” list. In my world it’s a no-brainer. Supporting people that are some of societies most vulnerable is the right thing to do and I am glad HR 1586 was signed into law yesterday.
The law included a six month extension of higher Medicaid federal matching funds for states – a major contribution towards some of the drastic slashes in mental health coverage in Arizona.
Recent budget slashes (I prefer that term over cuts as I feel it’s much more descriptive) in the state’s healthcare system for the poor have forced many people to search for alternatives to afford their medications. Some are going to Canada, while some have been fortunate to be able to get discounts directly from the pharmaceutical companies. I applaud the efforts of some of the drug companies to help and I wish they would all step up.
While illegal immigration and calls to enforce the border by sending in troops occupies the headlines, our state’s most vulnerable citizens are doing the best they can just to survive. In my world they take priority over someone who has illegally crossed our borders to look for a better way of life. Helping disabled and seriously mentally ill people is not only money well spent, it’s the “right” thing to do!
How Did Your Member Vote?
View the House roll call vote on final passage of HR 1586
Both McCain and Kyle voted no when the bill went through the senate.
Read further details on the provisions in HR 1586 designed to support state Medicaid programs into 2011.
