Maine’s Budget in Jeopardy

Next week H.R. 4213, also known as the Extenders Bill,  heads to the U.S. Senate for a vote. This bill plays a vital role in protecting health care services for Maine families and health care job in Maine.

Sadly however, this bill and Maine’s budget are now in jeopardy!

Originally the bill was supposed to extend enhanced federal funding for state Medicaid programs for six months, along with extending unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies for health insurance through the end of 2010.

Last week however, the U.S. House passed a version of the Extenders Bill that eliminates the extended federal funding for state Medicaid programs. Maine is depending on that funding. Without it, Governor Baldacci and the legislature could be forced to make up to $85 million dollars in more cuts to Maine’s budget!

There is still an opportunity to get this funding BACK into the bill! When H.R. 4213 goes to the Senate next week, Senator Snowe and Collins can advocate for it. In fact, just a couple of months ago, they both voted for these extensions in the original Tax Extenders Bill!

Please call Senators Collins and Snowe’s offices TODAY!

• Thank them for their support of extending the enhanced FMAP in the past.

• Urge them to advocate for putting the extension of the enhanced Medicaid match rate (or FMAP) back into the tax extenders bill, HR 4213, when they return to the Senate after the Memorial Day recess.

• Explain that the enhanced FMAP is critical for protecting both vital health care services and health care jobs in Maine.

Once you’ve made the call, click on this link so we can keep track of how many calls have been made!

U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe
(202)224-5344

U.S. Senator Susan Collins
(202)224-2523