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CUF NOT CUTS
Urge your Florida legislators to avoid another round of cuts to the fragile Medicaid program. These cuts aren’t necessary if the Legislature increases the Cigarette User Fee and then permanently dedicates some of the new revenue for health care. We can avoid these cuts if legislators agree to a PUFF for Medicaid. This is the only time health care advocates can support a PUFF:
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing to urge you to avoid another round of cuts to Florida's fragile Medicaid program. These cuts are not necessary if the Legislature increases the Cigarette User Fee (CUF) and then permanently dedicates some of the new revenue for health care. I understand that even using the federal stimulus money, Florida's 2009-10 budget faces a shortfall of several billion dollars. Yet, most proposals to investigate how we can appropriately generate new revenue to meet critical needs have been rejected. The Senate budget wisely does incorporate a $1.00 fee increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products. (The amount that would be raised is far less than what the State currently pays through Medicaid to treat smoking-related illnesses.) But despite wide bipartisan constituent support, the House has so far refused to consider the CUF increase. Because Florida accepted Medicaid stimulus funding, it cannot end programs or tighten Medicaid eligibility until 2011. But nothing in the stimulus legislation prohibits the Legislature from cutting specific services or reducing provider payment rates. In fact, both House and Senate propose cuts to nursing homes, hospitals, health departments, and mental health and substance abuse providers. (The Senate's cuts are somewhat deeper and broader.) Of critical concern, these would be the 4th round of cuts to health care in the last 18 months. But we can avoid these cuts if the legislature agrees to a PUFF for Medicaid. This is the only time you will find health care advocates supporting a PUFF. PUFF stands for: * Pass the cigarette user fee (CUF) increase. * Use some new CUF revenue for health care. * Free up State funds (by permanently dedicating CUF funds to the Medically Needy and MEDS-AD programs). Then use that State money to prevent Medicaid cuts now. * Fast-forward to 2011, and use CUF to save Medically Needy and MEDS-AD then. Florida's most vulnerable citizens cannot afford further cuts to essential health care. Therefore, I urge you to please support health care through an increased Cigarette User Fee in this legislature. It's a vital investment in our state both this year and in the future.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
FL Legislators Can PUFF Instead of Cutting Medicaid
Urge legislators to avoid another round of cuts to the fragile Medicaid program. These cuts aren’t necessary if the Legislature increases the Cigarette User Fee (CUF) and then permanently dedicates some of the new revenue for health care.
The Legislature is in the midst of preparing its budget for 2009-10. Even using the federal stimulus money, Florida is still facing a shortfall of several billion dollars, because most proposals to investigate how we can appropriately generate new revenue to meet critical needs have been rejected.
However, The Senate budget does incorporate a $1.00 fee increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products. (The amount that would be raised is far less than what the State currently pays through Medicaid to treat smoking-related illnesses.) The House has so far refused to consider the CUF increase.
NOTE: Because Florida accepted Medicaid stimulus funding, it cannot end programs or tighten Medicaid eligibility until 2011. But nothing in the stimulus legislation prohibits the Legislature from cutting specific services or reducing provider payment rates.
The Senate proposes cuts to nursing homes, hospitals, health departments, and mental health and substance abuse providers. (The House's cuts are not quite as deep or broad.) This would be the 4th round of cuts to health care in the last 18 months.
But we can avoid these cuts if legislators agree to a PUFF for Medicaid. This is the only time health care advocates can support a PUFF.
PUFF stands for:
To better understand how this would work, click here.
