March 1-5, 2010 is Medicaid Matters Week. This is a project of Medicaid Matters New York (MMNY), a coalition of over 130 organizations that advocate on behalf of Medicaid consumers. The Center for Disability Rights is a member of MMNY.

Medicaid Matters Week is an opportunity for members of MMNY to project the consumer voice throughout the state using grassroots advocacy methods to say why Medicaid is important to them. Given the fact that this is the height of the budget period, and there is perennial grumbling about the state’s huge Medicaid spending, the importance of the voice of people with Medicaid as their health insurance cannot be overstated.

The position of Medicaid Matters New York is that Medicaid cuts can be accomplished in ways that actually strengthen the program and avoid harm to the low-income New Yorker’s that depend on Medicaid to access vital services. MMNY supports the state’s efforts to obtain additional support from the Federal government to sustain the system, while constantly striving to make the system work better by buying quality.

MMNY impresses upon the Legislature the need to keep consumer priorities at the forefront throughout the budget process, maintaining what works, eliminating what doesn’t, and strengthening the commitment to having the best possible health system for the benefit of all New Yorkers.

In observance of Medicaid Matters Week, the Center for Disability Rights will be scheduling visits to state legislators, and posting Action Alerts, among other things. Later in the month of March, we will be hosting a “Teach-In” about Medicaid, open to the public.

We invite you to participate in the events of Medicaid Matters Week, and let your voice be heard. To learn more about how you can participate, please contact CDR’s Advocacy Department at 585-546-7510.