|
Catholic Charities USA:
Catholic Charities USA is urging members of Congress to protect health coverage for the most vulnerable among us, including foster care youth, low-income children, and working families before it adjourns for the year.
Extend the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) program for families moving off welfare into the workforce.
TMA, which is set to expire this year on December 31, is an essential work support that provides needed continuity in health coverage.
It allows families moving off welfare and into work to temporarily keep Medicaid health coverage for six to twelve months.
Fix the State Childrenâ¬(TM)s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding shortages.
The program faces an $800 million shortage in funding for the coming fiscal year.
This is equivalent to giving 530,000 low-income children vitally needed health care.
Continue Medicaid protection for foster care youth, who are most at risk of mental health problems and other health issues.
The Deficit Reduction Act, the budget passed by Congress earlier this year, introduced a citizenship documentation requirement for U.S. citizens.
It requires original documentation, (e.g., original birth certificates) to enroll in Medicaid.
Foster care children, who are often transitioning between homes, are exceedingly unlikely to carry original documents such as birth certificates.
Yet they are in greatest need of medical and mental health care.
With the 109th Congress adjourning permanently this week, it is critical that Congress address these issues before it ends its session, said Catholic Charities USA today.
For more than 275 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing.
Posted on December 7, 2006 06:39 PM
|
