Christensen Rallies Advocacy Groups To Support Territories in Medicaid Fight

(Washington, DC – April 27, 2012) – Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said today that more than fifty organizations have said that they will support the territories in their fight to retain Medicaid funding gained as a result of health care reform.

“Given all that is at stake, this fight is far from over and I am pleased that so many national organizations have expressed their support for my efforts and those of my delegate colleagues to protect our Medicaid programs and the people that they serve,” said Congresswoman Christensen. “These are all groups that I have worked with over the years, most importantly, during the health care debates. I am grateful for their support.”

Earlier this week, Congresswoman Christensen attempted to amend a Republican Energy and Commerce proposal that would eliminate Medicaid funding gained by the territories as a result of health care reform. Her amendment was defeated along party lines.

Groups that have signed on to support the territories include:
Families USA
First Focus
The Prevention Institute
AIDS Action Committee
AIDS United
African American Health Alliance (AAHA)
Alliance for a Just Society
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Psychiatric Association
Asian American Justice Center
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Association of Black Cardiologists
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
Bienestar Human Services
Black Women's Health Imperative
California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
Center for Law and Social Policy
Community Catalyst
Community Education Group
Community Organizations in Action
Disability Policy Consortium
Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation
Harm Reduction Coalition
Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network (LAAN)
Lung Cancer Alliance
Medicaid in Schools
Morehouse School of Medicine
National Health Equity Coalition
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
National Black Nurses Association
National Council for Community Behavioral Health
National Council of La Raza
National Health Law Program
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Immigration Law Center
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
National Medical Association
National REACH Coalition
National Urban League
National Women's Health Network
The Office of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
PolicyLink
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition (REHDC)
Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need
Society of Public Health Educators
Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc.
VI Perinatal, Inc.
W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association Health Institute
WestCare Foundation

“I am confident that together, we can and will ensure that the health, wellness and life opportunities of Virgin Islanders and all territorial residents are preserved and protected,” Congresswoman Christensen said.
           

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