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October 26, 2005
ALERT
URGENT NCIL ACTION ALERT: Action Needed NOW to Make Money Follows the Person A Reality: Call on House Energy and Commerce Committee Members to Support Amendment to Include Money Follows the Person
Thanks to your determined advocacy, as well as the efforts of Chairman Charles Grassley, Senator Gordon Smith, Senator Tom Harkin and CMS, the Senate Finance Committee voted on Tuesday to include Money Follows the Person in its Budget Reconciliation package!!! This is a major victory.
But we cannot rest now! On the morning of Thursday, October 27, 2005 the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up its budget reconciliation package. Although Money Follows the Person (MFP) was initially included in the Managers package to be considered by the full committee tomorrow morning, NCIL was informed late this afternoon that the Majority leadership had removed MFP. No explanation has been offered as to why this happened.
ACTION NEEDED:
- If your member(s) of Congress serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee
[see the full roster below], please call their office FIRST THING THURSDAY MORNING and urge support for an amendment to restore Money Follows the Person [HR 3063] in the Budget Reconciliation markup.
- If no one else offers up an amendment, ask your Representative to offer an amendment restoring Money Follows the Person himself or herself.
- Place emphasis on Republican members of the Energy and Commerce Committee as their support is vital to the success of our efforts.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is marking up this budget package tomorrow morning so immediate action is essential! Call as early in the day as possible. We need to ACT NOW to free our people!!!
Emphasize that Money Follows the Person is a top NCIL priority with strong support from the disability community, the Senate Finance Committee and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is sound policy and there is no legitimate reason to delay its passage.
FOLLOW UP: If your member is prepared to support our efforts, please e-mail Daniel@ncil.org and ncil@ncil.org to make us aware.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
MAJORITY
Republicans: (31) Joe L. Barton, [TX-6] Chairman, Ralph M. Hall [TX-4], Michael Bilirakis [FL-9], Fred Upton [MI-6], Cliff Stearns [FL-6], Paul E. Gillmor [OH-5], Nathan Deal [GA-10], Edward Whitfield [KY-1], Charlie Norwood [GA-9], Barbara Cubin [WY], John Shimkus, [IL-19]*, Heather A. Wilson [NM-1], John Shadegg [AZ-3], Charles W. "Chip" Pickering Jr. [MS-3]* - Vice Chairman, Vito J. Fossella [NY-13], Roy Blunt [MO-7], Steve Buyer [IN-4], George P. Radanovich [CA-19], Charles Bass [NH-2], Joe Pitts [PA-16], Mary Bono [CA-45], Greg Walden [OR-2], Lee Terry [NE-2], Mike Ferguson [NJ-7], Mike Rogers [MI-8], C. L. "Butch" Otter [ID-1], Sue Myrick [NC-9], John Sullivan [OK-1]*, Tim Murphy [PA-18], Michael C. Burgess [TX-26], Marsha Blackburn [TN-7].
MINORITY
Democrats: (26) John D. Dingell [MI-15]. - Ranking Member, Henry A. Waxman [CA-30]*, Edward J. Markey [MA-7], Rick Boucher [VA-9]*, Edolphus Towns [NY-10]*, Frank Pallone Jr., [NJ-6]*, Sherrod Brown [OH-13]*, Bart Gordon [TN-6]., Bobby L. Rush [IL-1], Anna G. Eshoo [CA-14]*, Bart Stupak [MI-1]*, Eliot L. Engel [NY-17]*, Albert R. Wynn [MD-4]., Gene Green [TX-29]*, Ted Strickland [OH-6], Diana DeGette [CO-1]*, Lois Capps [CA-23], Mike Doyle [PA-14], Tom Allen [ME-1]*, Jim Davis [FL-11], Jan Schakowsky [IL-9]*, Hilda L. Solis [CA-32]*, Charlie Gonzalez [TX-20], Jay Inslee [WA-1], Tammy Baldwin [WI-2]*, Mike Ross [AR-4].
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
MAJORITY
Republicans: (17) Nathan Deal, Ga. Chairman; Ralph M. Hall, Texas; Michael Bilirakis, Fla.; Fred Upton, Mich.; Paul E. Gillmor, Ohio; Charlie Norwood, Ga.; Barbara Cubin, Wyo.; John Shimkus, Ill.; John Shadegg, Ariz.; Charles W. "Chip" Pickering Jr., Miss.; Steve Buyer, Ind.; Joe Pitts, Pa.; Mary Bono, Calif.; Mike Ferguson, N.J. - vice chairman; Mike Rogers, Mich; Sue Myrick, N.C., Michael C. Burgess, Texas
MINORITY
Democrats: (14) Sherrod Brown, Ohio - Ranking Member; Henry A. Waxman, Calif., Edolphus Towns, N.Y.; Frank Pallone Jr., N.J.; Bart Gordon, Tenn.; Bobby L. Rush, Ill.; Anna G. Eshoo, Calif.; Gene Green, Texas; Ted Strickland, Ohio; Diana DeGette, Colo.; Lois Capps, Calif.; Tom Allen, Maine; Jim Davis, Fla.; Tammy Baldwin, Wis.
* indicates that member has supported MiCASSA and/or Money Follows the Person.
Daniel Davis
Acting Director of Advocacy and Public Policy
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Phone: 703-525-3406, ext 26
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