On November 1, 2005, the House
Budget committee passed a reconciliation bill that includes a $53.9
billion cut in mandatory spending over the next five years. It is
scheduled for floor action the week of November 7, 2005 and a House
vote is expected on this Thursday,
November 10, 2005. The Senate has already approved a
$35 billion budget reduction measure. Since there are major
differences between the Senate and House budget proposals, should
the House version be passed, a conference committee is likely to be
appointed to draft a compromise budget bill.
The proposed cuts are drastic. Of particular concern to the Asian
American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community are proposed cuts in
the Medicaid and Food Stamp programs. If passed, our community
members’ access to health services would be deeply impacted.
YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE RIGHT FOR ASIAN
AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO ACCESS MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMP
PROGRAMS.
Medicaid:
While the Senate version contained a $4.3 billion cut to the
Medicaid program, the House Energy and Commerce Committee calls for
a $11.9 billion cut ($1.5 billion in increases to be offset by a
$13.4 billion reduction) largely through allowing states to increase
patient cost-sharing from $3 to $5 per visit; charge co-pays in
emergency health situations; and impose new premiums on certain
beneficiary groups such as pregnant women and children. It would
also apply stricter rules on transferring assets by elderly
applicants.
Moreover, health care providers can refuse service to Medicaid
patients if they could not afford the co-payment. States may also
bypass an entitlement in the current law that provides children with
coverage of medical care that will prevent and ameliorate long term
effects of chronic disease and disability.
Also, a last minute provision was inserted into the bill that
would require Medicaid applicants to show proof of citizenship or
permanent residency.
Medicaid provides critical health care to the country’s poorest
populations. Approximately 11% of AAPIs are covered by Medicaid
health insurance. AAPIs are far more likely to be uninsured (21% vs.
14 % for Whites) and unaware of their eligibility for public health
coverage. The proposed cuts will make it more difficult for
low-income AAPIs to access Medicaid services.
Food Stamps:
The House Agriculture Committee approved an $844 million cut in five
years by imposing two new restrictions on food stamp eligibility.
The 1996 immigration reform law barred most legal immigrants from
receiving food stamps. It was only three years ago when eligibility
was restored for legal residents who have been in the U.S. for five
years. The current proposal would raise the residency requirement to
seven years. Though children of legal immigrants are exempt, their
level of assistance will decrease since their parents would become
ineligible.
It will also be harder for families currently on TANF to receive
food stamps. Currently, families who qualify for TANF cash
assistance or other services such as child care would be eligible
for food stamps. The new proposal would restrict food stamps to TANF
cash recipients only.
