IMMEDIATELY contact your state representative AND senator AND Gov. Jennifer Granholm and oppose any proposal that contains additional Medicaid cuts in the 2007 state budget.

Immediately telephone, e-mail or fax a message to your state representative AND senator AND Gov. Granholm to discuss how additional Medicaid cuts will put Michigan lives at risk and place vital health care jobs in imminent jeopardy.

Every member of the Michigan Legislature & Gov. Granholm

Key Messages & Talking Points, Sample Letter, Medical Services Administration Policy Bulletin MSA 07-23 and www.hospitalsact.org.

To coordinate your hospital/health system's advocacy efforts, please contact your Hospitals-ACT Project Coordinator before responding to this alert.

Governor Issues 6% Medicaid Cut —
“Code Blue” Crisis Worsens
Contact Your Legislators Immediately!

On April 30, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced a 6 percent Medicaid reimbursement cut to hospital inpatient and outpatient rates, Disproportionate Share Hospitals and Graduate Medical Education in an attempt to balance the state budget for fiscal year 2007.  If these administrative cuts are enacted June 1, 2007, hospitals will be cut $30 million between June 1 and Sept. 30.

In addition to the hospital cuts, the governor’s announcement included a 6 percent Medicaid cut to physicians, nursing homes and mental health providers.

This administrative action is separate from legislative proposals to reduce Medicaid currently under consideration by the state House and Senate. It is unknown what action the Legislature will take in response to this announcement; however, the chance exists that this newly announced cut will be in addition to, not in lieu of, the cuts proposed formerly by the legislature.

The House recently voted to cut Michigan hospitals $28 million and the Senate $13.4 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2007.

NEXT STEPS
The MHA is receiving feedback that many lawmakers have NOT heard from their hospitals, making these proposed cuts closer to reality. Michigan hospitals are being again urged to IMMEDIATELY contact every state lawmaker and the governor to:

• Describe the realities that have caused this declaration of Michigan health care’s Code Blue.
• Urge them to take the necessary steps to properly fund health care services to end this emergency.
• Insist they convey your message to their respective political leader.
• Submit comments to the Medical Services Administration regarding Policy Bulletin MSA 07-23 immediately.

To locate your state representative and senator, visit our Legislative Action Center and select My Elected Officials. For instructions on how to use the action center, click here. 

Due to the significance of this issue, MHA members are also urged to directly contact the top four political leaders of the Legislature:

• House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township): (517) 373-0857
• House Minority Leader Craig DeRoche (R-Novi): (517) 373-0827
• Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester): (517) 373-2417
• Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek): (517) 373-2426

The hospital community must mobilize to strongly express our opposition to any proposal that contains additional health care funding reductions. These cuts are real until proven otherwise and inaction by Michigan hospitals would only serve to embolden those who wish to slash Medicaid funding.

Click here for Key Messages & Talking Points and click here for a sample letter. Please IMMEDIATELY contact your state representative AND senator AND Gov. Granholm and encourage them to cease actions that have warranted this Code Blue on Michigan health care services and jobs.

If you have any questions regarding this Action Alert, please contact the MHA’s David Finkbeiner or Lori Latham at (517) 703-8601.