More than 150 Jewish organizations are calling for an increase in Medicaid funding.
The United Jewish Communities federation umbrella group has written a letter to all members of Congress on behalf of more than 150 national, state and local Jewish agencies to stress the importance of “a temporary, targeted and timely increase to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)” as part of any economic plan to stimulate the economy.
FMAP is the formula used to determine the amount of federal funds provided to each state to support that state’s Medicaid program. It was last increased in 2003.
The letter points out that many states are running budget deficits and that Medicaid is frequently a target in such situations.
“Increasing FMAP is an effective and proven tool that has helped stimulate the economy in the past and has helped ensure states have the continued resources they need to provide healthcare and other services to those who need it the most,” William Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office of the UJC, said in a statement.
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