Hands Off Medicaid

Editor, Gettysburg Times,

Many of us in Adams County rejoice that Congress finally reauthorized the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six more years. CHIP serves more than 180,000 children in our state (pa.gov, CHIP enrollments by county).

For years Paul Ryan and his cohorts have wanted to effectively destroy major safety net programs that millions of Americans rely on, from Medicaid to Medicare to Social Security. Now they have an excuse to begin: the budget deficit created by their infamous tax bill. The massive permanent tax-cut giveaway to the very rich is projected to add $1.4 to $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit over ten years. On Jan. 31 then, as they hunker down at a leadership retreat, party leaders are likely to begin their destructive work. Medicaid is expected to be their first target.

In Pennsylvania, Medicaid provides healthcare and long-term care coverage to more than 2.9 million low-income children, pregnant women, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. Excluding CHIP, the figure is more than 2.7 million people.

If you care about this issue, please call Scott Perry (202-225- 5836) and Pat Toomey (202-224- 4254) and leave a message as simple as this: "Hands off Medicaid; no cuts and no caps." And call before Jan. 31.