State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.
March 30, 2009
Senate President Proposes Changes to Governor Rell’s Budget to Save Connecticut Over $1 Billion
Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) Says Appropriations Committee Poised To Protect Federal Funding That Helps Plug Massive Budget Deficit
Hartford: Senate President (D-Brooklyn) says this week the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is poised to vote on a spending plan for the next biennial budget that will protect $1.3 billion in federal funding by rejecting Gov. Rell’s proposal to cut more than $24 million from Medicaid.
“It is clear that if we accepted Gov. Rell’s proposal to cut this Medicaid funding, we would lose more than $1 billion in federal funding,” said Senator Williams. “I’m confident Gov. Rell will agree that her proposed cuts are now off the table. The Appropriations Committee is working hard right now to find alternatives and I am hopeful that Gov. Rell will do the same.”
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the federal government provides states more funding for Medicaid. For Connecticut, the allocation totals $1.3 billion. In order to receive these funds, the federal government requires that states do not make it more difficult for people to enroll in Medicaid.
At least two provisions in the Governor’s budget are in violation of this federal law, and thus jeopardize this money:
- The Governor proposed $8.8 million in FY10 and $9.3 million in FY11 in cuts by making adults in HUSKY A pay premiums.
- The Governor proposed $2 million in FY10 and $2 million in FY11 in cuts by eliminating self-declaration of income.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released details of the requirements in a document titled: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Section 5001: Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) FACTSHEET:
“Section 5001 of the ARRA provides eligible States with an increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for 27 months between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. To access the additional funds associated with the increased FMAP, each State must ensure that the “eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures” under its Medicaid State Plan, or under its Medicaid waiver or demonstration programs, are not more restrictive during this period than those in effect on July 1, 2008. More restrictive eligibility would preclude the State from accessing the increased FMAP funds until the State had restored eligibility standards, methodologies or procedures to those in effect on July 1, 2008.”
|
Senator Williams’ |
Listing of Senator Williams’ recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Derek Slap |
