Communications Tips, April 14, 2011: Medicaid and the Deficit
We encourage health advocates to move in the same direction set by the administration and highlighted in the Media Matters messaging work. For a communications frame, tie the Affordable Care Act to the vision Americans have for their country—one in which our priorities (families, kids, investing in the future of our country) are clearly reflected in the elements/benefits in the health law. You can then get specific about the benefits of the law and that these benefits are the ones that the opposition is trying to deny Americans.
This same frame and approach can be applied to the Ryan proposal debate regarding cuts to Medicaid. Here are some 'big picture' messages on this issue:
- Medicaid provides long-term care to millions of seniors, critical services that help Americans with disabilities live independently, and enables millions of children to see a doctor.
- We all agree that deficit reduction is a priority but it is very important to our nation's future that it be enacted in a smart, constructive way.
- Ryan's proposal would do nothing to solve the real problem of rising health care costs; it just shift costs from the federal government to states and local communities.
- Regardless of whether you call it a spending cap, a block grant, or global waiver, they all mean the cost of long-term care for millions of seniors will go up while the quality of care goes down, people with disabilities will lose the support they need to live independent, productive lives, and kids won't be able to see a doctor.
- Moms know how to prioritize a budget—when they need to cut costs they cut out steaks, not the kid's milk. Let's cut expensive corporate tax loopholes instead of health care coverage for seniors, those living with disabilities, and our kids.
See the messaging from Media Matters on President Obama's budget talk: http://mediamattersaction.org/message/onepagers/201104140001
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