Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 Second District residents write to me about the issues pending before Congress, and I work hard to respond to each person as promptly and thoughtfully as possible.  On this "Letter of the Week" blog, I highlight constituent letters that are of general interest.  If you'd like to share your own views, please feel free to e-mail me at any time!

Dear Nancy,

The federal budget should mirror our nation's priorities. Surely one of those is health-security for the most vulnerable in this country, particularly those with or at risk of mental illness. But given a budget that proposes further deep cuts to Medicaid and drastic funding reductions in a wide-range of programs critical to a sound health policy, Congress must reject this plan and substitute new priorities. I urge that those priorities include fostering health promotion and prevention of mental illness, integration of recovery-focused mental health care with general health care, and behavioral health research.

Regrettably, the President's budget will hurt vulnerable Americans, especially those with mental illnesses. Among its most troubling targets exacerbating earlier reductions -- is the Medicaid program, which currently funds over 50 percent of state and local spending on mental health. On the heels of already-launched regulatory efforts to cut billions in Medicaid services, the budget would shrink Medicaid funding by another $18 billion over five years, and in doing so would further weaken and even destabilize the program. Particularly troublesome are a cut of more than $1 billion in case-management services, a repeal of special protections for children with special needs and Medicare beneficiaries at a "savings" of more than $2 billion, and slashing more than $5 billion in "streamlined" state Medicaid financing. These and other Administration proposals would abandon many low-income Americans who need the critical support Medicaid provides, and would likely induce states to take up even sharper Medicaid reductions as they face an economic downturn. It is the wrong target and would worsen already-building economic problems.

We stand on the threshold of achieving monumental changes in the lives and futures of people with or at risk of mental health problems, but such achievement requires dedicated commitment to areas ranging from research, health promotion, prevention services, public health, workforce development, housing, education, and employment. These must be areas of robust investment, not fiscal retreat.

Janelle from Holton, KS

Dear Janelle,

Thank you for writing to me about your concerns with the President’s budget.  On February 5, 2008 the President sent Congress his proposed budget.  Let me tell you, I am as upset with it as you are.

This budget is a perfect example of how our government lacks basic common sense and is out of touch with the values of the good people who reside in the Second District of Kansas.  The President’s budget calls for cuts in education, Medicare, Medicaid and Homeland Security.  He even went as far as cutting funds for prosthetics for our heroes returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let me assure you that as far as I am concerned this budget will have little to no bearing on what Congress eventually funds.  If the federal budget is recognition of our nation’s priorities, I am afraid that I do not share the President’s priorities.

It is time that we have a frank and open conversation with the American people.  The decisions that this Congress is going to have to make for this next fiscal year are going to be tough, but they must be done.  Some programs are going to see increased funding and others are going to have to find further efficiencies in their operations so that they can make do with similar or less funding than they have received in previous years.  I look forward to having this discussion with the people of the Second District as I believe that only through open dialogue are we going to be able to reconcile differences.

Over the next months, we must work together to restore fiscal responsibility and, at the same time, deliver real results to the people of the Second District.  I am committed to working toward economic prosperity, a strong national defense, affordable health care and energy prices and strong public schools.  It won’t be easy, but  Congress can make a difference if party politics is put aside and we work together. 

Thank you again for taking the time to start this conversation with me.  I hope you will continue to keep in touch on this issue and others that are of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress