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Motion expressing the sense of Council of Allegheny County supporting the efforts of United States Representative Michael Doyle to preserve Medicaid benefits for Americans through House Bill 4223, the "Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005."
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WHEREAS, on November 3, 2005, Representative William Pascrell introduced House Bill 4223the Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005; and
WHEREAS, Representative Doyle is among 21 co-sponsors of House Bill 4223; and
WHEREAS, this legislation will establish a Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid to thoroughly consider the operations of and consequences of altering the Medicaid program; and
WHEREAS, this legislation will prohibit cuts in federal funding for the Medicaid program until full consideration is given to recommendations made by the Commission; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid is the largest public health insurance program in the United States, covering more than one in seven Americans and accounting for more than 15 percent of spending on health care in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income adults and children, a comprehensive source of medical coverage for people with disabilities, the primary source of public funding for long term care, and a supplement to Medicare for the elderly;
WHEREAS, Medicaid also reduces disparities in health care delivery to racial and ethnic minorities, who make up approximately one third of the population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid is the cornerstone of the Unites States' health care safety net, providing health and long term care services to more than 40 million low-income families;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that this Body supports the concepts embodied within House Bill 4223 and the efforts of Representative Doyle in cosponsoring and seeking approval for this legislation.