Today's Senate battle--Medicaid.
According to Netscape, "The Senate seemed likely to vote Thursday on an effort led by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., to eliminate all $14 billion in five-year savings the chamber's budget proposes in the health care program for the poor and elderly. That would be a 1 percent reduction from the $1.12 trillion Medicaid is projected to spend over that period.
The vote was expected to be close, with Smith and co-sponsor Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., supported by all Senate Democrats and a handful of GOP moderates. A potentially pivotal Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said late Wednesday that she was ``inclined to support'' Smith but was being lobbied hard by Republican leaders. "
Its another opportunity to let your Senators know how you feel on this issue.
Call Senator Collins, especially.
Collins, Susan - (R - ME)
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/low/contactemail.htm
Call your own senator--find the number here
According to the Wash Post, Sen. Snowe supports the bill, as well as Republic Mike DeWine(correction) of Ohio who helped sponsor it.
"It's all an issue of fairness and balance, and expanding responsibility to both sides of the ledger," spending and taxes, said Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine). As it is now written, a vote for the budget will be "difficult, when you're thinking about who [the tax cuts] will benefit versus who Medicaid benefits," she added."
Let's give them our support today and let them know how we feel about cutting Medicaid!
Let's show them we still have a voice in the Senate!
We are very close to being able to build some coalitions on these issues--staying vocal may help us pull in that one extra vote on some critical issues in the next few months. Let them know we vote and we are out here!