As Congressional Recess Comes to an End, Federal Budget Talks Resume - April 27, 2011

Congress returns from its Easter recess on May 2, and attention is expected to turn to the Senate as that chamber begins its fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget deliberations. In addition, the Senate “Gang of Six” is expected to unveil its bipartisan deficit reduction proposal in the coming weeks, a plan that could ultimately serve as the legislative framework for what passes both chambers in the coming months. As the bicameral debate continues, the White House is also leading its own deficit reduction discussions following President Obama's April 13 speech. To this end, Vice President Biden is expected to convene a group of Congressional leaders on May 5 to discuss the options laid out by the President, among others.

As Congress prepares to return to Washington, NAPH encourages you to tell your Congressional Members that, as leading providers of care to Medicaid beneficiaries, NAPH members recognize the need to reduce health care spending -- and we have ideas about how to do so. These concepts involve actually reducing the cost of care, not just shifting costs onto others. The House budget's unprecedented level of Medicaid cuts will only damage the ability of safety net providers to care for all patients in their communities. NAPH has put together a one-page flyer for you to share with your members of Congress, as well as talking points to assist you in your conversations.