Dear JFC members,
Please take a moment to consider the consequences of increasing medicaid expenses for those receiving this benefit. These numbers have grown, through no fault of their own, due to job losses and the recession. This state has been blessed with a $350 million “surplus” and to even consider moving forward with the DHSS/Administration proposal to burden these most vulnerable with $5 million in additional costs goes beyond the realm of unconscionable. If you feel the need to move money to plug that hole (as OMB suggests would be necessary) than you might consider lessening the $13 million proposed for “Stars” tiered reimbursement or cancel the .2% PIT restoration. Both items are well over the $5 million target to reject medicaid cuts. I sincerely hope you will be mindful of the impact on those medicaid recipients and consider the reality that limiting or making unaffordable their medical visits will result in more serious illnesses and exponentially higher costs to the system.
Thank you for your consideration,
Representative John Kowalko