From: NGLTF@aol.com
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 22:21:03 -0500
Subject: NGLTF ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:          
Helen Gonzales  (202) 332-6483 hgonzales@ngltf.org   
Robert Bray      (415) 552-6448  rbray@ngltf.org
2320 17th Street NW   Washington, DC   20009
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NGLTF STATEMENT ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN:

CONCERNED ABOUT MEDICAID CUTS,  BUDGET BATTLE ON
PEOPLE WITH AIDS AND OTHERS

 
Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 1995...As of noon today, the Federal Government
has 
shut down several major federal agencies as budget negotiations continue
between 
Congress and the White House.  Following is a statement, attributable to
Melinda 
Paras, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director, on the
possible 
impact of the budget battle.

***
The federal government again finds itself in a crisis, forcing the shutdown 
of key federal agencies.  A major issue of debate between the Congress and
the 
President, which has stalled budget negotiations, is the proposal by the 
Republican leadership to gut the current Medicaid program.  The program
provides 
basic health care services for the poor, including older 
Americans -- many of whom are gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered -- low-income children and their families, pregnant women, and 
individuals with disabilities such as people living with AIDS.

    While the shutdown of government agencies is unfortunate, we strongly 
support the President's willingness to stand up for the principle of health
care 
access for the poor.   

    The Republicans have proposed to scrap the current Medicaid 
program, substituting instead a Medigrant program with very few federal 
requirements.  The primary and most drastic change would include turning the 
Medicaid program over to the states, in the form of block grants, and giving 
them almost complete discretion on who would receive Medicaid benefits.  In 
addition, the plan also calls for cuts of  $163 billion in projected

--more--
(Statement, cont.)

Medicaid spending over the next seven years.  These proposals would have a 
devastating impact on people with AIDS (PWA), who can least afford to absorb 
these losses.

    Medicaid is the major health insurance for at least 40 percent of all 
persons living with AIDS and up to 90 percent of children with AIDS.
 Medicaid 
pays for the prescription drugs relied on by individuals who are HIV-positive

and those with AIDS.  Without Medicaid coverage, many PWA's would lose their 
access to the health care system.  

    Under the proposal put forward by the Republican majority, there is no 
guarantee of benefits nor a definition of what benefits an eligible
individual 
could receive.  There would be 50 different state definitions of "people with

disabilities" who could receive assistance, and 50 different benefit
packages.  
In other words, people with AIDS would have no guarantee they would continue
to 
have access to the health care system, including the prescription drugs that
for 
many are a best hope for a longer and better quality of life.

    The Republican Medigap proposal is cold-hearted and brutal since it would

cut the heart out of the safety net of programs that both Democratic and 
Republicans have supported in the past.  The Republican proposal would gut
the 
Medicaid program in a way that would have a devastating impact on public 
hospitals, which would have to cut back or discontinue services to those who 
have no where else to turn for health services.  

    The answer to skyrocketing health care costs is health care reform, not 
taking away access to the health care system for the poor and disabled, 
including people with AIDS and those who are HIV-positive.   It's a cruel
irony 
indeed that the very people who worked against health care reform in the last

Congress are the very people leading the charge today to destroy the 
infrastructure relied on by those with no other access to the health care 
system.

    We urge the President to resist turning Medicaid into a block grant
program 
and to stand firm in his commitment to ensure health care availability for
low-
income children and their families, pregnant women, and individuals with 
disabilities, including people living with AIDS.

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