Fw: Waiver Update--New Action you can take

[Guest guest]

ATTN: Texas Ladies

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message ----- From: Texas Campaign for Women's Health

Action Alert

Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 2:32 PM

Subject: Waiver Update--New Action you can take

Texas Campaign for Women's Health--Waiver UpdatePlease distribute widely!Dear advocates,As the House takes up the budget bill (HB 1) beginning today, we have one more opportunity to advocate for a Medicaid waiver that would expand eligibility for family planning services to thousands of women in Texas, while saving the state money in the process. Among the 400+ amendments to HB 1 are a few friendly‹and a few not so friendly‹amendments that will impact the state¹s application for the much sought after waiver. On the positive side:Rider 47 in the Health and Human Services section of the budget calls for the Health and Human Services Commission to "maximize federal funding for women¹s health care services by applying for an 1155 Medicaid waiver for women¹s health and family planning services."Rep. Garnet (D-Houston) has filed an amendment that clarifies and strengthens this request. The amendment calls on the Health and Human Services Commission, or "any appropriate state agency operating part of the state Medicaid program" to maximize federal funding by developing and establishing a demonstration project to expand access to women¹s health services under Medicaid.On the negative side:Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth (R-Burlseon) filed an amendment that stipulates the waiver must be "designed to generate a savings in general revenue during this biennium." The question of the waiver¹s cost-neutrality, or cost-saving potential, has been a stalling point used by anti-choice activists who oppose any additional funding for health care providers who even tangentially affiliate with clinics who provide abortion services or referrals. The concept paper supporting the current waiver application states clearly that no funds will be used to pay for abortion services or referrals. This is an anti-choice tactic being used to deny low-income women the full range of primary preventive health care services they need. Savings from the waiver will be experienced over the longer term, as the state shoulders fewer costs from unwanted pregnancies‹fewer Medicaid-paid births, healthier women and healthier babies, and as more medical problems are detected and treated earlier in thousands more women across the state. What you can do right now:The amendments will be considered and voted upon one by one beginning this afternoon. Call your representative TODAY and tell them to vote Yes! on the amendment calling for a Medicaid Waiver for Women¹s Health. And vote No! On the Wolgemuth amendment.These votes are recorded, so we will be watching to see who supports expanded health care for women.Look up your representative at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htmIf you¹d like more information on these amendments, or on the waiver please contact me at (512) 448-4857, or by email at LRamsey@....********************Lesley RamseyProject DirectorTexas Campaign for Women's Health905-A W. OltorfAustin, Texas 78704(512) 448-4857(512) 448-3373 fax