The bipartisan “Gang of Six” in the U.S. Senate has put forward a plan for deficit reduction. Reports have stated that the deal, totaling $3.7 trillion over 10 years, would include 26 percent revenue increase and 74 percent spending cuts. Early information shows a possible $200 billion in cuts to health care. The released information, however, does not include the specifics of where these cuts would be made. Earlier proposals have included reducing or eliminating the Medicaid Hospital Provider Fee, $14 billion in Medicare cuts to rural providers, and reducing the federal matching rate for Medicaid to the states.
Because the details the health care cuts under consideration are still unknown, it is critical to continue communicating with our members of Congress, especially Senators Bennet and Udall. Please contact Senator Bennet, Senator Udall, and your Representative with this message: “Please protect Medicare and Medicaid as you consider changes and cuts in the federal budget. Rural communities rely on these programs and significant cuts will threaten access to care and economic growth in rural Colorado.” Feel free to personalize your message with how Medicare and Medicaid impact your community.
You can contact your legislators by phone and email:
Senator Michael Bennet, 202.224.5852
Senator Mark Udall, 877.768.3255
Capitol Switchboard, 202.224.3121 (ask for your Representative's office and to speak with the staff who handles health issues)
Click here for a list of Colorado's members of Congress and email addresses for their healthcare staff. If you don't know who represents you in Congress, click here and enter your zip code.
