WHEREAS:
Our nation's Medicaid and welfare system provides a safety net for men, women and children who have no other choice but to turn to their government for health care and basic subsistence; and,
WHEREAS:
The National Governor's Association (NGA) unanimously adopted a resolution on February 6, 1996 calling for changes in the Medicaid and AFDC systems which would undermine that safety net; and,
WHEREAS:
The NGA's resolution would significantly restrict the number of individuals who could be guaranteed health insurance coverage. Some categories of adults and children whose coverage is now mandated would be converted to an optional status. Each state would be allowed to define "disabled", and critical services, particularly for the mentally retarded and mentally ill, would not be required; and,
WHEREAS:
The NGA's proposal, if enacted by Congress, would slash $123 billion from Medicaid over seven years. These cuts are far too large to be absorbed by the states without significant cutbacks in eligibility and services. The proposal makes no mention of the importance of maintaining the Disproportionate Share Hospital payments to safety net hospitals; and,
WHEREAS:
States would be able to force Medicaid beneficiaries into managed care plans without federal oversight to ensure that quality protections are in place under the NGA proposal; and,
WHEREAS:
The NGA's welfare proposal would set unrealistic requirements on states to have welfare recipients in work programs, without adequate protections for incumbent workers who may be displaced as a result of such extensive work requirements; and,
WHEREAS:
Existing mechanisms to allow health care consumers, providers, welfare recipients and taxpayers to hold states accountable for obeying the law would be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
AFSCME denounce the NGA's resolutions on these two subjects, bringing public attention to the issue through appropriate avenues of communication; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME request the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO to condemn the action of the NGA and urge its affiliates to join in the campaign against the NGA position; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
AFSCME request the AFL-CIO to ask President Clinton to remain firmly behind his current proposal which preserves the federal guarantee of Medicaid coverage, a federally defined benefit package, adequate federal and state financing and disproportionate share payments to safety-net providers and retains an entitlement for welfare with adequate anti-displacement protections.