Bush budget cuts Medicaid for school-based services:

[donco6]

National Organizations are reporting on potential cuts from Medicaid for school-based services.

President Bush’s FY 2007 Budget

NAME and Council of Great City Schools (CGCS) both have concerns over President Bush’s FY 2007 Budget. The Bush budget proposes to cut $615 million ($3.5 billion over five years) out of Medicaid reimbursement for school-based services. The areas mentioned are administrative claiming, transportation, rehabilitation services, and transportation costs.

CGCS, NAME, and American Association of School Administrators (AASA) are all actively monitoring Bush’s proposal. Keep in mind the difference between a proposal and Congress passing that proposal.

Calls to Congress will be encouraged when the proposal is discussed.

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I know that some might think that cuts to administrative claiming would be a good thing - after all, shouldn't the money go directly to service providers? The problem is that the program is totally reimbursement-based. Without the claiming paperwork (of which there is a HUGE AMOUNT), we don't get any money. No money, no services. Bush knows that if he cuts claiming, it's going to look like services went down, therefore, we don't really need the money anyway.

Bastard.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. We fund a ton of programs here with Medicaid $$

Our special ed teachers log their time spent on noneducational activities, like discussing medical issues with parents, etc. Then the district is reimbursed with Medicaid dollars. It is a very lucrative account line.

We also have school based health clinics funded by Medicaid.

This sucks. It sucks REALLY bad.

[donco6]

2. We do, too.

We're able to pay for two full time mental health professionals with our reimbursement money. They keep us all sane. I'll keep an eye on this and let you know what I hear from our Medicaid board.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Oh please do

Our nurse is in her office, crying. This is just devastating news.

To top it off, we just got a message that Title I funding for next year is going to be cut once again. Gee, I wonder if we can buy pencils with what's left?