Last week, the Senate passed their version of the budget blueprint, which details different reconciliation instructions for the House and Senate committees. The new budget plan combines the House GOP’s original framework of $1.5 trillion in spending cuts with the bare-bones Senate plan, which guarantees only $4 billion in spending cut targets and more room for tax cuts that aren’t fully paid for.
Now, Senate and House Republicans need to identify and negotiate their proposed cuts. They must determine how to meet conservatives’ demands for deep spending cuts while retaining moderates’ support, even as potential benefit cuts cause heartburn. Although the House approved the Senate resolution text with a vote of 216-214 last Thursday, two Republicans (Reps. Victoria Spartz and Thomas Massie) voted no. To move forward, Republicans must conference and vote again on a budget reconciliation package.
Congress is away for their two-week April recess this week, and will not return until Monday, April 28. These next two weeks are CRUCIAL in our advocacy efforts to protect and defend Medicaid from these potentially disastrous cuts. May 9 has been set as the target date for committees to finish their markups, with House Energy and Commerce Committee potentially meeting as early as May 5 to begin its work.
How can you be active during this recess period?
- Send a letter: Tell Congress: Keep Medicaid Working. Write to your representatives and urge them to say NO to Medicaid cuts. Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP)
- Sign on letter: Tell the Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy & Commerce Committee to reject proposals that would destabilize primary care and the Medicaid funding, Primary Care Collaborative
