07-R029

2007 -- H 5096

Enacted 01/18/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO OPPOSE CUTS IN MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS FOR RHODE ISLAND SCHOOLS

Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Lima, Fellela, Carter, and Melo

Date Introduced: January 17, 2007

     WHEREAS, Medicaid reimbursements for school services are currently in jeopardy.

President Bush's proposed 2008 budget contains cuts to the funding that school departments use

to provide services to children with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island school districts are required by federal law to provide a variety

of services to students on Medicaid. These mandated services often account for a significant

portion of local school budgets; and

     WHEREAS, When federal funding for these federally mandated services is cut, yet the

mandates are still required, local funding sources must absorb the gap; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's schools are already struggling to meet the costs associated

with the federal law "No Child Left Behind", with new state performance standards, and with

more vigorous graduation requirements; and

     WHEREAS, The increased financial burden resulting from the proposed cuts in Medicaid

funding will place a further encumbrance on already struggling school systems and ultimately this

cost will fall on Rhode Island taxpayers; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the United States Congress to take immediate

action to oppose cuts in Medicaid reimbursements to Rhode Island schools; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC00662

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