June 28 Teleconference, Report Release Will Detail How Cuts Could Cost Iowa Thousands of Jobs, More than a Billion Dollars in Lost Business Activity
Washington, D.C.–The Medicaid cuts in the House Republican budget, if implemented today, would have a devastating impact on the struggling economy of Iowa, putting thousands of jobs and more than a billion dollars in state business activity at risk.
On Tuesday, June 28, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, will release a report titled "Jobs at Risk" that will detail how Medicaid cuts would damage Iowa's economy.
As the report makes clear, there is also a human toll of such cuts, affecting the health and well-being of low-income and middle-class families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. This report, however, will look specifically at the economic effect of Medicaid cuts, spotlighting the potential impact of a 5 percent, 15 percent and 33 percent Medicaid cut on Iowa's economy.
Those percentages were chosen for the report, because the budget proposal adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), calls for cuts in federal funding to current state Medicaid programs of 5 percent in 2013, 15 percent in 2014, and 33 percent in 2021.
A teleconference for Iowa media will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, to discuss the new Families USA report.
WHAT:
Teleconference and Release of Families USA Report "Jobs at Risk"
WHEN:
Noon EDT, 11 a.m. CDT
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
HOW:
Dial in toll-free: 877-780-3379
Confirmation code: 7301551
WHO:
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA
