Vincent J. Hughes Democrat Senate District 7 Term Expires: 2008 Occupation: Philadelphia County - State Senator Education: Attended Temple University Standing Committee Assignments: • Public Health & Welfare, Minority Chair • Policy Appointment, Democratic Deputy Whip • Appropriations • Education Contact Information: Senate Box 203007 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Room: 543 Capitol Bldg (717) 787-7112 D.O. Address: 4601 Market Street First Floor Philadelphia, PA 19139 Email: hughes@pasenate.com

Plan Outlined to Ease Medicaid Cuts Sen. Vincent Hughes By: Senator Vincent Hughes Senate District 7 In a press conference in Harrisburg yesterday I outlined a plan to use a portion of the Health Care Endowment of the National Tobacco Settlement Agreement to minimize the burden of Pennsylvania's proposed $380 million in Medicaid cuts. Pennsylvania is facing a crisis and the $380 million in proposed Medicaid cuts could quickly become a serious threat to hospitals and patients. Potentially, these cuts could have long-term and lasting impact throughout our already fragile health care delivery system. I am proposing that up to $400 million of the more than $600 million currently in the Endowment be used to minimize the projected cuts to Medicaid funding and services. Using these funds to shield the elderly, disabled and working poor from this impending disaster and to cushion the blow that hospitals, providers and patients will suffer is a legitimate option that should be put on the table for discussion. The National Tobacco Settlement Agreement was reached in 1998 between the leading tobacco companies and a large number of states and resulted in the allocation of $206 billion to be paid out to participating states over 25 years. Pennsylvania's share of the settlement was expected to amount to more than $11 billion over those 25 years, with the Commonwealth receiving $400 million a year. Eight percent of these funds are allocated to the Health Care Endowment to be used for future programs. Last week, I sent a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell, urging him to consider using a portion of the endowment to minimize the proposed $380 million in Medicaid cuts. It is our duty to ensure that Pennsylvania's low-income children, single parents, the elderly, disabled and uninsured are provided with basic health care access. This includes quality health care and prescription benefits. By shifting the funds from the Health Care Endowment of the Tobacco Settlement we can avert a real crisis in the short-term while we explore more long lasting policy solutions. ### Hughes Outlines Plan to Ease Medicaid Cuts www.pasenate.com/PressReleases/senators/hughes/ 2005/6-15-05-medicaid2.htm Click Here for Video   CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives Back to CapNews