As you know, the Senate unveiled its healthcare bill today, June 22. This is from the Council for Exceptional Children's "Policy Insider" newsletter for June 21, 2017: Begin Quote: Senate Due To Slash BILLIONS in Medicaid - Tell Your Senators to Vote No TODAY! The Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is on a fast track. A small group of Republican Senators are working behind closed doors and the news that has "leaked" is alarming. The Senate bill potentially could be worse than the House passed bill and will include Medicaid per capita caps. It has been rumored that the bill has been sent to the Congressional Budget Office and the score may be ready early next week. The Senate bill could come to the floor for debate and a vote as early as next Thursday. CEC is concerned about the lack of transparency by the Senate Republicans as most of the Republican Caucus have not seen the bill, Senate Democrats have not been included, no hearings will be held and it is unlikely that the public will be privy to the bill before it goes to the Senate floor for debate. As you will remember, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act in May. CEC opposed the Medicaid provisions in the bill. It has been reported that there will be significant reductions and restructuring of Medicaid in the Senate bill. Due to the underfunding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, school districts and early intervention programs rely on Medicaid reimbursements to ensure children with disabilities have access to health care services to ensure a free appropriate public education and early intervention services. Potential consequences of reductions to approximately $4 billion in Medicaid funds in both the House and Senate bills include: . Fewer health services . Cuts to general education . Higher taxes . Job loss . Fewer critical supplies . Fewer mental health services . Noncompliance with IDEA Visit CEC's Legislative Action Center to write your Senators and tell them to vote "NO" on any provisions to weaken Medicaid for children with disabilities including: a per capita cap system and overall reductions in Medicaid funding. Senate vote - Predicted to be June 29. Write your Senators today! End Quote. Anthony R. Candela Co-Chair, AER Legislative Committee Rehabilitation Administrator/Consultant ____________________________________________________________ 1 Simple Trick Removes Eye Bags & Lip Lines In Seconds FitMomDaily http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/594c2adbd7e972adb204cst04duc