Statement by AARP CEO Bill Novelli on the Passage of the Smith-Bingaman Amendment

Source: AARP Press Center | March 17, 2005

AARP applauds members of Congress who voted in favor of the Smith-Bingaman amendment to create a bipartisan Medicaid commission and prevent $14 billion in arbitrary funding cuts.

Medicaid is the nation's largest health insurer. It provides critical health and long-term care coverage for 53 million Americans. With the nation already facing an enormous challenge of providing adequate health care to 44 million uninsured, arbitrary cuts in the Medicaid program could worsen this national crisis.

A Medicaid commission can help ensure that sound policy – not arbitrary budget targets – is the driving force for reforms that strengthen and improve the Medicaid program.

Medicaid is the last resort for millions of older Americans, the disabled, children in poverty, working families that cannot afford private insurance, and those whose medical expenses have exhausted their private resources and insurance benefits. The program also is an integral part of the entire health care system. Improving the program means taking a long-range view that includes Medicaid's role in the larger health care system.

A bipartisan Medicaid commission will create much-needed dialogue about how to take prudent steps to make this critical safety net stronger and sustainable in the long run. We must also ensure that those named to the commission bring a broad and balanced perspective that includes all stakeholders, and that they have adequate time and resources to carefully consider the policy options.