Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services!
DATE: May 22, 2007
TO: Delegate Agencies, Board of Directors, Advocates and Staff
FROM: Jody Leibman, Director of Public Policy
RE: Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services!
Call Your State Legislator: Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services in the May Budget!
As you know, family planning providers throughout California are in desperate need of an increase in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
While the Governor and many of California’s Legislators agree that increased provider rates are a necessary component of any health care reform plan, the Governor did not include any reimbursement rate increase in his “May Revise” of the California State Budget (which totals $104 billion).
Unfortunately, California’s reimbursement rates are so low that many clinics have no choice but to turn patients away. California has difficulty recruiting and retaining physicians, nurses and other clinicians based on the inadequacy of the Medi-Cal rates. As a result, many Californians in need of family planning services are not receiving the care they seek.
Patients turned away from clinics face increased health risks based on both lack of diagnosis and lack of treatment.
We know the incredible impact that our clinics and the family planning services they provide have on Californians throughout our state. That is why it is time to contact our legislators and urge them to demand that the Governor include a provider rate increase in his budget before it’s too late.
Attached is a sample letter to send to your legislator, Governor Schwarzenegger, Speaker Fabian Nunez, and/or Speaker Pro Tem Don Perata.
To find out who your legislator is, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.
For further information, contact Jody Leibman, Director of Public Policy, at leibmanj@cfhc.org or (213) 386-5614 ext. 4416.
**Reminder: Please let us know if you are planning to attend the NFPRHA National Conference in Washington, D.C. this June so that we can schedule appointments for you to visit with your federal legislators. For further information on the conference, visit www.nfprha.org, or contact Jody Leibman, Director of Public Policy, at leibmanj@cfhc.org or (213) 386-5614 ext. 4416.
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SAMPLE LETTER
May__, 2007
Governor Schwarzenegger/Senator/Assembly Member
Sacramento, CA
Re: SUPPORT Medi-Cal Rate Increase for Family Planning Services!
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger/Senator/Assembly Member
On behalf of [ORGANIZATION], I am writing to urge you to support a targeted Medi-Cal rate increase for family planning services.
The current level of Medi-Cal reimbursement rates has had a drastic effect on many California clinics’ ability to provide services in a number of key areas. The lack of clinicians and staff creates dangerous delays, program cutbacks and cancellations. Many clinics have had to turn away thousands of women and men seeking care.
As you know, family planning is one of the most cost effective services in the state. Since its inception, California’s FamilyPACT program has saved the state more than $2 billion in medical and social services costs by preventing unintended pregnancies. In addition, just $24 million of state funds invested would generate $68 million in additional federal funds. How can we afford not to make this investment?
California’s investment in family planning services will result in matching federal dollars and long term savings for our state. [ORGANIZATION] urges your support for a rate increase for family planning services.
Sincerely,
[NAME/TITLE]
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