Would You Sign This Letter?

Today’s Facts:
Maryland has a "Rainy Day" fund surplus that is $200 million greater than is required by our own laws (we think that a big Rainy Day fund balance is a good thing);

The current Fiscal Year, which ends on June 30, 2005, will end with a surplus of about $200 million;

The budget enacted by the General Assembly is was projected at the time to have a surplus of $260 million. Because tax revenues appear to be higher than expected, the actual surplus will be much higher.

We have some serious budget problems in our future. But right now, because we've been cutting so deeply, the state has plenty of money.

Which gives context to the following letter. This letter was sent to the parents of approximately 4,000 children who currently receive Medicaid. The children are legal immigrants, but have not been in the U.S. long enough to qualify for citizenship. Terminating their eligibility for medical assistance will save about $5.5 million from the state budget. Or, add less than one percent to the total surplus of funds that the state now has.

June 15, 2005

Si usted necesita leer esta carta en espanol, revise la version en espanol adjunta. Si usted necesita una version en espanol de la aplicacion, llame a su trabajadora social o al 1-800-456-8900.

Dear Medical Assistance Recipient:

You are currently receiving Medical Assistance benefits from the State of Maryland. Your category of assistance is for aliens under 19 years old with a permanent legal resident status who have not been in the United States for at least 5 years as a permanent legal resident. This category of Medical Assistance is funded with all State dollars. The State’s budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2005, has no funding for this category of Medical Assistance. Therefore, your Medical Assistance eligibility will end as of June 30, 2005.

If you are currently pregnant, inform your eligibility case worker IMMEDIATELY so your Medical Assistance benefits will not end on June 30, 2005. Then, you can keep Medical Assistance until 60 days after your delivery.

If you wish to appeal, pursuant to COMAR 10.09.24.13, you must request a hearing
within 90 days of the date on this letter. You may ask your eligibility case
worker for help to request a hearing.

To qualify for Medical Assistance or the Maryland Children’s Health Program, you must be a citizen, an alien who has been in the United States for at least 5 years as a permanent legal resident, an asylee, or a refugee. If you think that you qualify and want to re-apply, complete the enclosed application form. Mail the completed and signed application form to your local health department, which is on the list with the application.

If you have questions, please call your eligibility case worker or 1-800-456-8900.

Does this choice reflect your values and priorities? Would you be willing to have your signature on this letter sent to the parents of thousands of Maryland children?

Addendum: But Wait, There's More... In addition to eliminating health insurance for these kids, the governor proposed in January to eliminate health coverage for low-income legal immigrants who are pregnant. The General Assembly (which has very limited budget powers in MD -- the gov. has all the power) tried to restore money to ensure that pregnant women can get the prenatal care that they need. But check out the quote from this article in the Baltimore Sun:

"Earlier this year, legislators attempted to restore $1.5 million to cover pregnant women, but Ehrlich spokesman Henry Falwall said yesterday that the administration has not decided whether to comply with the request - which was written into the state budget."

Just to be clear -- the money IS IN THE BUDGET. The governor hasn't decided yet whether or not he wants to spend it to give pre-natal care to about a thousand low-income pregnant women. Just what we need, another 1,000 kids a year with no pre-natal care.