The House and Senate are negotiating budget resolution bills to support major tax cuts in the pending budget reconciliation package. To pay for the tax credits, the House Budget Committee has asked authorizers to find $880 Billion in cuts, and the Senate Budget Committee is looking for $1 Billion. We know that Medicaid is a primary target to pay for the tax credits. If Congress cuts Medicaid funding, states will not have the promised federal matching dollars to pay for the vital health services that ensure students with disabilities have adequate educational opportunities and jeopardize $7.5 billion in funding for school-based Medicaid services.  Medicaid is a cost-effective and efficient provider of essential healthcare services for children. School-based Medicaid programs serve as a lifeline to children who can’t access critical health care and health services outside of their school. Some school districts use Medicaid to pay for school nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other trained professionals who help all children, and these positions and the services they provide will be in jeopardy as states struggle to make up the difference. 

Contact your representatives here.

COPAA also signed with 60+ national education and disability organizations in a letter sent to Congress last week.