National Conference of State Legislatures
The Forum for America's Ideas
September 22, 2005
The Honorable Charles Grassley
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 |
The Honorable Max Baucus
Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
|
Steven J. Rauschenberger
Assistant Senate Republican Leader
Illinois
President, NCSL
Susan Clarke Schaar
Clerk of the Senate
Virginia
Staff Chair, NCSL
William T. Pound
Executive Director |
Re: The Emergency Health Care Relief Act of 2005 (S. 1716)
Dear Chairman Grassley and Senator Baucus:
On behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures, we express support for and urge the adoption of the Emergency Health Care Relief Act of 2005. This important legislation will provide needed financial support and increased flexibility to states to help them to provide critical health care services, including mental health and substance abuse services, to Hurricane Katrina survivors and evacuees, as quickly as possible. The legislation also includes important provisions designed to help individuals and families maintain their existing employer-based health care coverage. Finally, the legislation includes cash assistance to Katrina survivors and evacuees through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and through the provision of extended unemployment insurance benefits.
The legislation provides an important package of supports to states, individuals and families, employers and health care providers. Together these provisions will help smooth the way to a healthy recovery. We are pleased that the legislation provides support to states directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina, but also provides support to host states providing assistance to Katrina survivors and evacuees, recognizing the important role states will play in helping Katrina survivors and evacuees return to normal lives.
NCSL looks forward to working with you to ensure that Katrina survivors and evacuees get the assistance they need and that states receive the financial support they need to provide services to these individuals and families quickly, efficiently and with compassion.
Sincerely,
|
Steven J. Rauschenberger
Assistant Senate Majority Leader, Illinois
President, NCSL |
Dennis Byars
Nebraska State Legislature
Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Health |
cc: United States Senate
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