Ohioans - Protect Cincinnati Children's Hospital!
I received this missive from Cincinnati Children's Hospital by way of NAMI of Hamilton County:
Help Us Protect Health Care for Our Kids: Contact Your State Senator Now.
The Ohio Senate is now considering the budget passed by the House of Representatives in mid-April. While the House made some modest improvements in child health compared to the Governor's initial budget proposal, the budget still falls short of protecting children's hospitals from financial harm.
The current budget proposal still includes a cut in Medicaid payments to children's hospitals resulting in a 2.2M cut to Cincinnati Children's, followed by a freeze in the payment rates resulting in a 3M a year loss. Over the two year budget period, Cincinnati Children's is looking at approximately a 10M loss in Medicaid revenue. These cuts coupled with the proposed freeze make a bad situation worse since we already lose millions of dollars each year caring for children covered by Medicaid. To save Ohio's Children's Hospitals from financial harm means spending just 12M in state dollars which is only one-tenth of one percent of the state's total Medicaid spending.
It is important that our state legislators understand that children's hospitals will be hit particularly hard by cuts because Medicaid payments account for 38% of Cincinnati Children's overall revenue. Medicaid is the single largest payer to Cincinnati Children's. Medicaid payment cuts and freezes will hurt our ability to deliver care to all kids, not just those covered by Medicaid.
Please contact your State Senator today. Ask him or her to hold Children's Hospitals harmless by protecting Medicaid payments keeping children's health a top priority.
It's easy! We've developed a tool that allows you to communicate with your State Senator with little effort. You can send him or her e-mail by going to the Ohio Children's Hospital Association's Web site at www.ohiochildrenshospitals.org/medicaid.html
When you get online, click the "Take Action" buttons … then follow the simple instructions and send an e-mail to your State Senator. Everything you need - your Senator's name and e-mail address as well as suggested messages - is available online.
You will also have an opportunity to write a handwritten note to your Senator on Thursday May 12, 2005. The Speak Out for Kids Action Network and the Government Relations Department will be giving free popcorn and cookies to those who stop by the conference room located inside the cafeteria on Thursday May 12, 2005. Elected officials say they give more attention to personal handwritten notes so we are providing another opportunity for you to communicate with your state Senator. It is completely appropriate and encouraged to send both an email today and write a personal note next week. (Sample letters and message points will be available next week to craft your letter).
I urge you to take action TODAY. If you have any questions regarding the State budget or this action alert, contact Melissa Saladonis at extension 61853.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.
James M. Anderson
President & CEO
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Help Us Protect Health Care for Our Kids: Contact Your State Senator Now.
The Ohio Senate is now considering the budget passed by the House of Representatives in mid-April. While the House made some modest improvements in child health compared to the Governor's initial budget proposal, the budget still falls short of protecting children's hospitals from financial harm.
The current budget proposal still includes a cut in Medicaid payments to children's hospitals resulting in a 2.2M cut to Cincinnati Children's, followed by a freeze in the payment rates resulting in a 3M a year loss. Over the two year budget period, Cincinnati Children's is looking at approximately a 10M loss in Medicaid revenue. These cuts coupled with the proposed freeze make a bad situation worse since we already lose millions of dollars each year caring for children covered by Medicaid. To save Ohio's Children's Hospitals from financial harm means spending just 12M in state dollars which is only one-tenth of one percent of the state's total Medicaid spending.
It is important that our state legislators understand that children's hospitals will be hit particularly hard by cuts because Medicaid payments account for 38% of Cincinnati Children's overall revenue. Medicaid is the single largest payer to Cincinnati Children's. Medicaid payment cuts and freezes will hurt our ability to deliver care to all kids, not just those covered by Medicaid.
Please contact your State Senator today. Ask him or her to hold Children's Hospitals harmless by protecting Medicaid payments keeping children's health a top priority.
It's easy! We've developed a tool that allows you to communicate with your State Senator with little effort. You can send him or her e-mail by going to the Ohio Children's Hospital Association's Web site at www.ohiochildrenshospitals.org/medicaid.html
When you get online, click the "Take Action" buttons … then follow the simple instructions and send an e-mail to your State Senator. Everything you need - your Senator's name and e-mail address as well as suggested messages - is available online.
You will also have an opportunity to write a handwritten note to your Senator on Thursday May 12, 2005. The Speak Out for Kids Action Network and the Government Relations Department will be giving free popcorn and cookies to those who stop by the conference room located inside the cafeteria on Thursday May 12, 2005. Elected officials say they give more attention to personal handwritten notes so we are providing another opportunity for you to communicate with your state Senator. It is completely appropriate and encouraged to send both an email today and write a personal note next week. (Sample letters and message points will be available next week to craft your letter).
I urge you to take action TODAY. If you have any questions regarding the State budget or this action alert, contact Melissa Saladonis at extension 61853.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.
James M. Anderson
President & CEO
