WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) is deeply concerned about the health care needs of more than a million people displaced by the recent hurricanes, and urges Congress to act now on their behalf.
The chaotic situation that erupts after a natural disaster, in this case thousands of people in shelters and without access to the health care services they normally depend on, should be addressed by Congressional action to ensure that all low-income hurricane victims can obtain needed medical coverage.
“With each day that passes, more lives are put at risk,” said Michael Rodgers, CHA’s interim president and chief executive officer. “Congress should enact emergency legislation as soon as possible.”
Catholic health and social services have joined with government agencies to bring assistance in the form of medical care, food, water, temporary shelter, and social services to survivors of the storms. At the same time, “more is required to see that the efforts can continue seamlessly,” Rodgers said.
“The federal government can and should act to implement a health services strategy that ensures immediate access to health services for low-income and newly impoverished individuals” affected by the hurricanes, stated the leaders of CHA, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Charities USA in a letter to Charles Grassley (R-IA), Senate Finance Committee Chairman, and Max Baucus (D-MT), Ranking Member.
In the letter, the Catholic leaders expressed their appreciation for the Senators’ efforts to provide emergency health care relief for hurricane victims, and called for federal legislation to provide Medicaid coverage for all low-income survivors regardless of categorical eligibility; 100 percent federal Medicaid payments for eligible victims in every state; and the streamlining of Medicaid eligibility and enrollment procedures.
The Catholic groups also applauded the efforts of the Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make health services available to survivors by doing everything that the agency is authorized to do, including the use of state Medicaid waivers. However, federal legislative action is necessary to ensure full federal funding of health care services for all low-income hurricane victims wherever they currently reside.
The St. Louis-based Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), founded in 1915, supports the Catholic health ministry’s pursuit of the strategic directions of mission, ethics, and advocacy. As the nation’s largest group of not-for-profit sponsors, systems, and facilities, the ministry is committed to improving the health status of communities and creating quality and compassionate health care that works for everyone. For more information, visit the CHA website at http://www.chausa.org.
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Catholic Health Association of the
CONTACT: Fred Caesar, Senior Director, Public Affairs, of the CatholicHealth Association of the United States, +1-202-296-3993
Web site: http://www.chausa.org/
