What do super-heroes, super-villains, and the Super Committee have in common?
Complicated origin stories, huge ambitions, and the future in their hands. Oh – and a good bit of secrecy.
Earlier this summer, after the Republican party took our government hostage over raising the debt ceiling, Congress came to an agreement with President Obama that lifted the debt ceiling while protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security from immediate cuts. But as part of that agreement, Congress has created a “super committee” charged with finding an additional $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction measures over the next 10 years.
Tomorrow, September 13th, we’ll find out a little more about what they do. That’s the date for the Super Committee’s first public hearing. The 12 members of the committee have until November 23 – just two months from now – to present a deficit reduction plan to Congress for a vote.
Many leaders in Congress have already put a target on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, making it clear that they will use the process to try to secure deep, harmful cuts to these important programs – all while protecting tax giveaways for corporations and the mega-rich.
Today and tomorrow are the first of several key pressure points in the next 4 months when each of us has an important role to play to make sure the “super committee” members know: Americans demand a sensible, balanced deficit plan – NOT cuts to vital health care services like Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act!
Can you take a moment today to use this toll free number from our partners at Families USA, 1-888-876-6242, to reach out to our Members of Congress and tell them to protect Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and the Affordable Care Act during the super committee negotiations?
Here are a few talking points you may find helpful:
*Cutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act would cause harm to millions of Americans. It would be especially detrimental to seniors who receive nursing home care; children who need to see the doctor; and people with disabilities who need long-term services and supports to live full and independent lives;
*Medicaid is a major driver of economic growth in our states and cutting it could severely worsen our already troubled state economies; and
*To move the country toward a stable economy and an efficient health care system, any deficit reduction approach must protect Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and include significant revenue increases.
