Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health And Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eau Claire County Board urges Congress not to cut Medicaid, Older Americans Act funding
Summary
The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 19 passed a resolution urging Congress to avoid deep cuts to Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, citing risks to local health services and senior nutrition programs. An amendment calling for additional investigation into fraud, misuse and abuse failed. The resolution passed 19-8.
The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors voted 19-8 on Feb. 19 to send a resolution urging Congress not to include dramatic cuts to Medicaid and the Older Americans Act in federal reconciliation legislation.
The resolution, introduced by the county Aging and Disability Resource Center board and discussed at committee, says members of Congress are considering which substantial Medicaid reductions to include in a reconciliation bill and asks federal lawmakers to avoid policies that would sharply reduce services for county residents.
During public comment, Jeremy Gregard of the West Side urged the board to support the resolution and to contact federal offices directly. "I came here to speak in favor of the resolutionto urge the U.S. Congress to not make dramatic cuts to the Medicaid program and the Older Americans Act," Gregard told the board.
Supporters said Medicaid and Older Americans Act funding underpins local care and nutrition services and supports county jobs. Supervisor Schneider said county funding helps pay for services that keep people in the community and keep local clinics and hospitals operating. "If we had to come up with $17,000,000 extra dollars, I don't know where we'd get them," Schneider said during debate about the local fiscal impact.
Opponents sought to add language asking Congress to investigate potential fraud, misuse and abuse; that amendment failed on a 11-16 vote. Some board members opposed the amendment on grounds that it could imply widespread local fraud and might provide political cover for cuts. Debate also touched on the practical limits of county influence over federal decisions.
The final resolution directs the county and others to communicate concerns to federal representatives and to share the measure with the Wisconsin Counties Association for broader distribution. The motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded during the meeting; the board approved the measure 19-8.
The board recorded no binding local fiscal changes as part of the resolution; it is a policy statement and advocacy measure.
