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CMS Directive Information

Update on August 17th Directive

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a directive on August 17, 2008 without hearings, review, or legislative approval which set forth policy guidelines that are impossible for states to meet.

The General Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service has released opinions stating that the August 17th directive should have been sent to Congress for review before being implemented under the Congressional Review Act. In Ohio, the directive has already denied 35,000 children from the health care coverage they need.

We need our Members of Congress and Senators to fix this problem—one imposed on Ohio by federal bureaucrats without warning or discussion. Congress should pass a moratorium on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines that have denied Ohio’s (and other states’) plans to use state and federal funds to cover children in living in families with incomes between 200%-300% of the federal poverty level. CMS approved similar coverage initiatives in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia, but unfairly shut the door for Ohio and other states without warning.

By working together, Ohio’s leaders in Washington and Columbus can help solve the problem of uninsured children and assure that our state’s young people grow up to be healthy, productive citizens. Even in the face of current state budget deficits, Governor Strickland and some legislative leaders have pledged that funding for expanding children’s health coverage will remain untouched. What we need now is for our state’s leaders in Washington to show the same unwavering commitment to Ohio’s children.

You can help, by sending a letter to your congressional member and U.S. Senators, asking them to stand up for our efforts in Ohio to cover our uninsured kids. Ask your member of Congress and Senate to do all they can do to overturn the August 17th directive so Ohio can move forward in providing needed health coverage to more children.