A letter was sent to members of Congress yesterday from 164 national organizations, including NASW, asking that Medicaid be excluded from potential budget cuts, currently under consideration in the fiscal cliff negotiations. The signers also argued against proposals to restructure Medicaid, such as converting it to a block grant program. The letter to Congress emphasized the value and efficiency of the program and stressed that cuts would put women, seniors, children, communities of color, and people with disabilities at special risk. The letter also emphasized that cuts to Medicaid mean cuts to actual delivery of health care and more financial hardship for struggling families and burdened state budgets.

Courts Matter: Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Arkansas case threatens Voting Rights Act
Court rules says private citizens and groups do not have authority to challenge states for violating voting rights