A little-noticed target at home Health Bill: Special EducationThe new law would reduce Medicaid by $ 880 billion or 25 per cent over 10 years and impose a "per capita cap" on the funding of certain groups of people, such as children and the elderly, a dramatic change Which would convert Medicaid a right designed to cover all costs incurred for a more limited program.
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AASA, an advocacy association for school superintendents, estimates that school districts receive about $ 4 billion in Medicaid reimbursement each year. In a January survey of nearly 1,000 district officials in 42 states, nearly 70 percent of the districts said they used the money to pay the salaries of health professionals who serve Students in special education.
Being restructured to curb their skyrocketing costs - the main driver of planned budget deficits - and forcing a smarter allocation of scarce resources.
But in a letter sent to the best lawmakers this week, a coalition of school educators and advocacy organizations said that these efforts would oblige states to "ration health care for children. "
Counsel argued that under the House bill, the federal government would transfer the burden of health care to the states, which would result in increased taxes, cutbacks in eligibility or Restricted services for children. And they said that schools should compete for funding with other entities, such as hospitals and clinics, that serve eligible children at Medicaid.
The ability of school systems to provide services prescribed under the Federal Education Act for Persons with Disabilities would be tense. The law is supposed to ensure that students with disabilities receive quality education services, but it has historically been underfunded.
As part of a little noticed provision of the health care bill, states should no longer consider eligible Medicaid providers, which means they would not qualify To refunds.
"School-based Medicaid programs serve as a lifeline to children who can not access health care and critical health services outside their school," said A letter sent this week by the Coalition Save Medicaid in Schools, a coalition of more than 50 organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Fund for Education and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
Mrs. Glenn said that she believed that Medicaid should be reinstated, but she said schools are already reimbursed for only a fraction of the costs of the services that are required, They provide.
The National Alliance for Medicaid in Education estimates that 1 percent of any Medicaid reimbursement goes to local school districts. Even without funding, school districts would be legally required to provide special education services.
"I realize that there must be cuts, because Medicaid has been out of control," Mrs. Glenn said.
John George, Executive Director of the United States, said: "We have a lot more demands, we are not making money, we are constantly in the hole. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania, said that Medicaid was paying mainly for speech, physical and behavioral therapists.
Special Education Students Represent about 16 percent of His student population, he said, and his most recent reimbursement of Medicaid was about $ 5.4 million.
"This is devastating," said Mr. George on the potential impact of the loss of Medicaid funding. "Our most vulnerable citizens will suffer the most. If a legislator votes for it, it is unreasonable."
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