Menu
Google Maps Directions
Area Agency on Aging Phone Numbers
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (AAA) advocates for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities at the federal, state, and local levels. As a member of the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging, AAA works to ensure your voice is heard. For more information, visit the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a).
Action Needed: Call and urge your Senators to reject these dangerous and harmful cuts.
Last month, the House of Representatives passed the massive Republican reconciliation bill, 215–214, mostly across party lines. The bill contains more than $700 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the proposed $715 billion in Medicaid cuts would likely result in 10.9 million people losing coverage. In addition to the cuts, to be eligible for Medicaid, House Republicans passed new requirements of at least 80 hours per month of work, education or service for able-bodied adults ages 18–64 without dependents. The bill also directs states to verify eligibility at least once a year, with Medicaid expansion enrollees having to verify their eligibility every six months, presenting even more barriers to coverage.
Additionally, the bill contains nearly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, that according to the CBO, could force millions of people off the program.
The bill is now being considered by the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is pushing for a vote on the floor as early as next week. However, Senate Republicans still plan to make changes to the bill, which could delay consideration to later in June. Republican leadership hopes to send the bill to the President’s desk by July 4, depending on how long it takes to reach a final consensus.
With only weeks remaining to stop the bill’s devastating cuts to Medicaid, we need you to take action now! Tell your Senators to reject dangerous cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Take action now by making phone calls! We have sent AAA5 advocacy letters/ emails to our Senators regarding this information, but we must keep the phones ringing.
Here is some information to support your outreach:
Senators:
Talking Points (as always, make this information your own):
|
House of Representatives:
Senators:
"Hello, may I please speak with Representative /Senator (Name) ?
My name is (Your Name) with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging. I appreciate your time and would like to quickly share my concerns regarding the proposed cuts to Medicaid in the reconciliation bill being considered by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Of particular concern to our agency is Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), which are relied upon by millions of older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and at home and in the community. These services are a lifeline for older adults and include services such as home health aides, homemaker services (laundry, cooking, etc.), supportive housing, adult day health services and more. Funding for Medicaid HCBS is essential to the health and independence of millions of older adults. When considering policy changes to Medicaid, it is imperative that Congress understands the realities facing older adults receiving Medicaid HCBS and the impact on the economy, families, caregivers, and communities if fewer older adults and people with disabilities are able to access these essential services. Cutting Medicaid HCBS will ultimately lead to more older adults going into nursing homes, which are the more expensive option for long-term care in Medicaid. In advance of next week’s House Committee on Energy and Commerce markup of the reconciliation bill, we urge you to oppose, and urge your colleagues to oppose, any cuts to Medicaid, ensuring that the older adults and people with disabilities who rely upon this essential program are protected and continue receiving the critical HCBS that allow them to age well at home. Thank you!
