CDCAN LOGOCDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS NEWS REPORT
California Disability Community Action Network
Advocacy Without Borders:  We Are One Community
News Impacting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors & Others
Goes out to over 45,000 people, organizations, policy makers across California
Marty Omoto -  martyomoto@rcip.com   website:   www.cdcan.us
 Report #059-2008  -  April 6, 2008 - Sunday evening
 
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
MEDICAID BILLS IN CONGRESS
* H.R. 5613 HAS HEARING IN HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE
* WOULD DELAY TIL APRIL 2009 SEVEN MEDICAID REGS
* SENATE BILL S. 2819 INTRODUCED - MIRRORS HR 5613
* REGULATIONS CALLED "HARMFUL, INDEFENSIBLE RISK"
Major Critical Impact on Children and Adults With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Providers, Counties In California and Across the Nation  
 
SACRAMENTO (CDCAN) - Two bills, HR 5613 and S 2819, moving through the US Congress, would delay implementation of at least seven controversial new Medicaid regulations from taking effect until April 1, 2009 that critics say would result in over $50 billion in loss of Medicaid funding to the states, including billions to California alone and result in significant and widespread reductions to the program.  [Note: CDCAN has issued an Action Alert - see website at www.cdcan.us and watch for special CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting on this issue and for copies of the two bills]
 
Representative John D. Dingell (Democrat - Michigan), chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Representative Tim Murphy (Republican - Pennsylvania), a member of the committee, introduced on March 13, 2008 HR 5613, titled the "Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008" which would delay implementation of seven Medicaid regulations. The US Senate bill, S 2819, introduced last week by US Sen. John D. Rockefeller (Democrat - West Virginia) and Edward M. Kennedy (Democrat - Massachusetts) is similar to the house bill, though would extend the moratorium to two additional Medicaid regulations. 
 
The new federal Medicaid regulations, proposed by the Bush administration last fall, would prohibit states from using federal Medicaid funds to help pay for physician training, school-based transportations, place new limits on Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes operated by state and local government, and limit coverage of rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, including those with mental health needs.  
One of the more controversial regulations - targeted case management - took effect March 3, 2008.
 
Regulations Critical Issue for Children & Adults With Disabilities, Seniors, Mental Health Needs
The issue of  implementation of the Medicaid regulations - particularly those involving targeted case management, rehabilitation, and school based transportation, are considered by many policymakers and advocacy groups as one of this year's most serious issues confronting people with disabilities, mental health needs, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors and others across the nation and in California and the right to live in their own homes and communities. 
 
It has enormous potential impact on hundreds of thousands of people on In-Home Supportive Services, regional center funded community-based services, including thousands of children with autism, seniors, low income families, thousands of children with special needs in foster care and special education. 
 
Supporters of the two bills that call for a moratorium or delay in implementation of the federal Medicaid regulations, say that several of the regulations would seriously undermine the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  and subsequent court rulings, including the landmark 1999 US Supreme Court "Olmstead Decision".  That decision required the states to take measures and steps to avoid the "unjustified" institutionalization of people with disabilities and seniors. 
 
Supporters of the regulations however, including the Bush Administration, say the Medicaid regulations are necessary and critical to make the program fiscally sound and able to continue with increasing caseload growths in the coming years. 
 
Regulations Called "Harmful" and "Unnecessary, Indefensible Risk"
Representative John D. Dingell (Democrat - Michigan), chair of the panel that the bill must be heard first in, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, said when he introduced HR 5613 last month that the Bush Administration's Medicaid regulations  "...are harmful and will undoubtedly put the health of thousands of our most vulnerable children at unnecessary, indefensible risk."
 
Implementation  Delay of Medicaid Regulations Supported by Schwarzenegger
The effort to extend the moratorium and delay implementation is supported by many of the nation's governors, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, nearly every major advocacy groups. Advocates and others intend to put increasing pressure on House members - including both Democrats and Republicans from California, to be co-sponsors of the bill or at least indicate their support. 
 
Congress Previous Delayed Some of The Regulations 3 Previous Times
HR 5613 is the latest bill to call for a delay in Medicaid regulations that supporters say are harmful.  Three previous bills blocked implementation of some of the Medicaid regulations, and HR 5613 would extend those dates or in the case of targeted case management regulations which took effect March 3, reinstate a delay in those regulations
 
* The first delay or moratorium was passed by Congress, were for the federal Medicaid regulations calling for implementation of major changes to Graduate Medical Education, Public Provider Cost Limits  which are delayed until May 25, 2008, and were included in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act (Public Law or P.L. 110-28).  It was included in that bill to prevent a veto by President Bush.
* The second delay or moratorium of Medicaid regulations by Congress was to block implementation of the Tamper Resistant Prescription Pads regulations until March 31, 2008. This moratorium was included in the "TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007" (Public Law or P.L. 110-90), again to avoid a veto by the President.
* The final delay or moratorium of Medicaid regulations (as of April 2008), that Congress passed was regarding the Rehabilitation Services and School-Based Administration and Transportation Medicaid regulations, with a bill that delayed  implementation of those regulations until June 30, 2008. These provisions were included in the Medicare Medicaid State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Extension Act (S. 2499), which again was done to prevent a presidential veto, since the SCHIP extension as passed eliminated the expansion and funding increases that President Bush previously opposed and vetoed. 
 
HR 5613 Had Hearing in Health Subcommittee On Thursday
HR 5613 had a hearing on Thursday (April 3) in the Health Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. A copy of the bill is on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us
 
Actions on HR 5613 to date are: 
03/13/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
03/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
04/03/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.
 
The bill will go through changes and revisions in the coming weeks, according to Health Subcommittee chair Representative Frank Pallone, Jr.  (Democrat - New Jersey)
 
Nine of California's 53 House members have signed on as co-sponsors of HR 513, which has a total of 57 co-sponsors as of last week. 
 
"These regulations go beyond any justifiable point to curb any abuses in the system and instead would shift costs to the states and prohibit federal support for legitimate expenditures on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries" Dingell said at the hearing on Thursday (April 3).  
 
Dingell criticized the federal Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which oversees both programs, saying that "When one reviews how [CMS] dealt with comments submitted on the regulations, it appears that there was no intention of working with states or other beneficiary groups to find common ground," and that out of the thousands of comments opposing the regulations, only a small number were identified by CMS as in support. 
 
In the US Congress the legislator primarily responsible for a bill is referred to as the "sponsor" (where in the California legislature the legislator is referred to as the "author" of the bill, and sponsors are department agencies or organizations who came up with the idea for the bill). 
 
House Bill Has 57 Co-Sponsors - Including 9 From California
HR 5613 is sponsored by Representative John D. Dingell (Democrat - Michigan) and co-sponsored, as of last week, by 57 other House members including some Republicans.  An effort is being made by advocates and the sponsors of the bill to get other House members, especially those on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to sign on as a co-sponsor or at least indicate public support for the measure, including California Republican members Mary Bono Mack (45th District) and George Radanovich (19th District). Democrats are hopeful that Mary Bono Mack will support the bill, since she was the lone California Republican House member to support the Democratic bills last year to extend and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bills. 
 
Among the 57 co-sponsors as of last week, are 9 California House members - all Democrats, of the 53 who represent California. 
*  Lois Capps  (Democrat - 23rd District)
* Dennis Cardoza  (Democrat - 18th District)
* Anna Eshoo  (Democrat - 14th District)
* Sam Farr  (Democrat - 17th District
* Jane Harman  (Democrat - 36th District)
* Doris O. Matsui  (Democrat - 5th District)
* Hilda A. Solis  (Democrat - 32nd District)
* Fortney Pete Stark  (Democrat - 13th District) 
* Henry A. Waxman  (Democrat - 30th District) 
 
See below for complete list of all 53 California House of Representative members. 
 
US Senate Bill Similar to House Bill - Introduced Last Week
The US Senate bill, S 2819)  introduced last week would delay implementation on two additional Medicaid regulations on top of the seven but is similar to the house bill.  A copy of the bill, not yet in print, will be posted on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us as soon as it becomes available. A copy of HR 5613 is already posted on the CDCAN website. 
 
S 2819 would also provide the states $12 billion in emergency funding to cover budget shortfalls, including $6 billion for Medicaid, though no details are available. 
 
No action or hearings have yet been taken on the bill, which was referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further action in the coming weeks. 
 
It is likely that California's two US Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both Democrats, will be urged to co-sponsor and support S 2819. 
 
Last December, US Sen. Jeff Bingaman (Democrat - New Mexico) and US Sen. Elizabeth Dole (Republican -North Carolina) introduced S. 2460 that would extend until May 25, 2009, a current moratorium on the Medicaid public providers cost limit and the graduate medical education payment rules. The Senate bill also would expand the moratorium to include the outpatient services rule.
 
Bush Administration Opposes Legislation
The federal Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid and State Operations Director Dennis Smith said that HR 5613 would create problems to improve fiscal accountability in the Medicaid program " because the legislation "would not simply delay implementation of these regulations, but it could jeopardize policies and interpretations that predate these regulations," and that the Bush Administration "strongly opposes" the bill. 
 
Smith disagreed that the federal regulations would create harm, but instead "...will help ensure that Medicaid is paying providers appropriately for services delivered to Medicaid recipients; that those services are effective; and that taxpayers are receiving the full value of the dollars spent through Medicaid."
 
The Congressional Budget Office says that the cuts resulting from federal Medicaid regulations would provide savings of over $17.8 billion over five years - though state Medicaid officials and other policymakers and advocates say the loss of federal Medicaid funding would be over $50 billion. 
 
Supporters of the bill say that the Bush Administration's opposition - and a threatened veto of any bill, could be overcome by putting the contents of HR 5613 (or S 2819)  into another bill that the President cannot afford to veto,  such one dealing with the Iraq War or some other critical issue. 
 
Federal Regulations Come When California Medi-Cal Program Facing Major Cuts
The federal regulations come at a time when California is facing an enormous budget shortfall, resulting in over $1 billion worth of cuts to the Medi-Cal program beginning July 1, 2008 in permanent Medi-Cal 10% rate reductions for most Medi-Cal providers, including Adult Day Health, durable equipment providers and others, and proposals to eliminate several (but not all) of the Medi-Cal "optional benefits". 
 
The Legislature approved a package of special session bills in February that included a 10% rate reduction of most Medi-Cal providers as proposed by the Governor, though with an effective date of July 1, 2008 instead of June 1, 2008.  The Legislature has not yet acted on other proposed reductions to the Medi-Cal program, including permanently eliminating 11 Medi-Cal "optional benefits" and reinstating Medi-Cal quarterly status reports. 
Meanwhile the County of San Francisco and possibly other counties and advocacy groups indicated they will file a law suit to stop the provider rate cut. 
 
Unlike those cuts however, Schwarzenegger Administration officials, Democratic state legislative leaders, counties, advocates are united in opposing implementation of the federal Medicaid regulations that would mean the loss of billions of dollars to the states. 

SUMMARY OF MEDICAID REGULATIONS THAT HR 5613 & S 2819 SEEK TO DELAY
In 2007, the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services proposed a number of regulations that significantly reduce federal funding to the states for a wide range of Medicaid services and programs.
Congress has acted to delay implementation on a handful of these regulations last year but some of the regulations have now gone into effect or the dates for delay are approaching in the next several weeks.
 
TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 12/04/07 (interim final proposed regulation)
COMMENT DEADLINE: 02/04/08
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/03/08
CURRENT STATUS: In effect
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to reinstate the moratorium and delay implementation of this regulation through April 1, 2009.
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Would limit federal Medicaid matching funds for case management services, going beyond changes to the Medicaid case management benefit that Congress enacted as part of the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) in February 2006.
* The regulation contradicts previous longstanding Medicaid policy regarding Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) and will have a serious impact on children in foster care and people with disabilities,  or mental health needs or other chronic health conditions.
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
SCHOOL-BASED TRANSPORTATION (AND ADMINISTRATION)
FINAL FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 12/28/07
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/26/08 - DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS: Moratorium (delay) of regulation through June 30, 2008. 
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to extend delay through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Would eliminate federal Medicaid funds for outreach, enrollment assistance, coordination of health care services, and related activities by school personnel to enroll more eligible poor children in Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California). 
* Would reverse current policy and prohibit federal Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) funds to be used to transport children to school if the children have special health needs and receive health care services at school.
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
REHABILITATION SERVICES
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 08/13/08
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/12/07 - DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS: Moratorium (delay) of regulation through June 30, 2008. 
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to extend delay through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Would limit coverage for rehabilitation services that are “intrinsic elements” of other programs, such as foster care or child welfare, therefore restricting the types of rehabilitative services that states can cover with federal funds, including special instruction and therapy for children and others who receive Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) services  who have mental health needs or developmental disabilities.
* Regulations would eliminate coverage for therapeutic foster care, in which children, including those with special needs.  are placed in a private home with specially-trained foster parents.
* Would also eliminate coverage for “day habilitation” programs, designed to help people with developmental disabilities to acquire the skills they need to live in community-based settings and remain out of institutions.
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
MEDICAID PROVIDER TAXES
FINAL FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 02/27/08
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/22/08
CURRENT STATUS:  No current moratorium or delay
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to delay implementation through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Under current federal law, states are allowed to tax Medicaid providers as a way to help pay for Medicaid costs.  These taxes are supported by providers (such as ICFs and nursing facilities in California) because the money they pay in the tax is then matched by federal Medicaid dollars, which in turn provides funding to help increase overall provider rates - which providers say help improve quality of services.  Some advocacy groups say that isn't always the case. 
* This federal regulation would redefine what the federal government would consider an "allowable" provider tax beyond what is in current federal law (P.L. or Public Law 109-432). That law places the maximum amount that a state may receive from a health care related tax at 6%, but temporarily reduces that maximum to 5.5% from January 1, 2008 through 2011.  On October 1, 2011 the maximum tax that a state can receive would go back up to 6%.
* The impact of imposing a maximum and the reduction advocates and policymakers say will result in a significant and serious drop in federal Medicaid dollars that states receive and depend on for Medicaid services and provider rates. 
* In California, Medi-Cal providers - including ICF-DDs, nursing facilities and others who are under programs that require a tax that in turn means a higher rate, and the people who reside in those facilities, and the workers, will all be directly impacted. 
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT (OPD) CLINIC & HOSPITAL FACILITY SERVICES DEFINITION
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 09/28/07
COMMENT DEADLINE:  10/29/07
EFFECTIVE DATE: No effective date yet
CURRENT STATUS: No current moratorium or delay when or if effective date is announced
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to delay implementation through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Would significantly restrict the types of hospital outpatient and clinic services Medicaid will cover (Medi-Cal in California), including prohibiting Medicaid funding to cover certain services such as dental and vision services that are often provided through outpatient clinics. 
* Would restrict ability of the states to cover services in outpatient clinics that are separate from hospitals. 
* Would lower the amount Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) can pay for private outpatient hospitals and clinics. 
* Advocates and policymakers believe the impact of this regulation will mean significantly reduced access to critical health services offered by hospital outpatient clinics. 
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (GME) PAYMENTS
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 05/23/07
COMMENT DEADLINE: 06/22/07
EFFECTIVE DATES: None - DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS: Moratorium (delay) of regulation through May 25, 2008 (P.L. or Public Law 110-28 included a one year delay through May 25, 2008)
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to extend delay through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED: 
* Would prohibit Medicaid payments for graduate medical education programs that train providers so they have the experience and skills needed to meet the special needs of people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others who are eligible and receive Medicaid services.
* Advocates and policymakers say that eliminating funding for this program will result - especially combined with low or reduced Medi-Cal provider rates such as California, a further significant drop in the number of people who will work in the Medicaid program as a provider. 
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH
 
PUBLIC PROVIDER COST LIMITS OR INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER (IGT)
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 05/29/07
COMMENT DEADLINE: 07/13/07
EFFECTIVE DATE: None yet but DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS: Moratorium (delay) of regulation through May 25, 2008.
NEXT STEPS: HR 5613 and S 2819 seeks to extend delay through April 1, 2009. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IS IMPACTED:
* Would impose new restrictions on payments to critical safety net health facilities such as hospitals and nursing facilities operated by government entities
* Clarifies that those entities involved in the financing of the non-federal portion of the Medicaid funding must be a unit of government.
* Regulation would also apply to the State Children's Health Insurance Program, except for the cost limit on other reporting requirements. 
* Advocates and policymakers say that if these payments are reduced or eliminated, the access to critical care and services provided by these facilities may disappear for many people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others on Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California). 
CDCAN COMMENT & PRIORITY: HIGH
 
OTHER IMPORTANT MEDICAID REGULATIONS DELAYED (BUT NOT IN HR 5613):
The following are two other federal Medicaid regulations that have had effective dates delayed, though are not currently part of HR 5613.  See CDCAN Report later this week for more details:
.
MEDICAID PHARMACY PRICING
FINAL FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 07/17/07
COMMENT DEADLINE: 01/02/08
EFFECTIVE DATE: None - DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS:  DELAYED. 
WHAT IT DOES AND WHO IT IMPACTS:
Would implement the pharmacy pricing and other pharmacy related requirements under the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) passed in February 2006. 
CDCAN COMMENT:
* On 11/07/07, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association filed a lawsuit in the federal district court in the District of Columbia claiming that the new formula for reimbursing pharmacies for generic drugs violates federal law.
* On 12/14/07 , that  court  issued an injunction that delays the implementation of this regulation until the Court has the opportunity to review the case
 
TAMPER RESISTANT PRESCRIPTION PAPER/PADS
PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ISSUED: 08/17/07
EFFECTIVE DATE: None - DELAYED
CURRENT STATUS: DELAYED until 03/31/08
WHAT IT DOES & WHO IT IMPACTS:
* Would require that prescriptions for persons under the Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program must be on tamper-resistant prescription paper unless they meet an exception that is indicated in the regulation. 
* If standards are not met or established by the state, no federal Medicaid matching funds will be allowed. 
CDCAN COMMENT:
* The delay was included in P.L. or Public Law 110-90 , the "TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007")
* This new requirement came as a result of a provision included - virtually at the time unnoticed by most advocates and policymakers - in the Iraq War Supplemental Funding bill, that Congress passed and the President signed into law.  
 
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE MEMBERS
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce deals with a wide range of issues, including health and health facilities (except health care funded by payroll deductions, which goes to another committee), biomedical research and development, consumer affairs and protection, energy and conservation, public health and quarantine, and travel and tourism. The committee has five subcommittees that focus on specific issues, including a subcommittee on Health which focuses on:
1. Public health and quarantine; hospital construction; mental health and research; biomedical programs and health protection in general, including Medicaid and national health insurance;
2. Food and drugs; and
2. Drug abuse.
 
Chair: Representative John D. Dingell (Democrat - Michigan)
Vice Chair: Representative Diana DeGette (Democrat - Colorado)
Ranking Republican Member: Representative Joe Barton (Republican - Texas)
Total committee members:  57 (31 Democrats and 26 Republicans)
Note: California members on the committee are listed in CAPITAL letters and members are listed in order of seniority (how many years they have served in the House of Representatives)
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS (31 total including chair and vice chair):
HENRY A. WAXMAN (CA), Edward J. Markey (MA), Rick Boucher (VA), Edolphus Towns (NY), Frank Pallone, Jr (NJ), Bart Gordon (TN, Bobby L. Rush (IL), ANNA G. ESHOO (CA), Bart Stupak (MI), Eliot L. Engel (NY), Albert R. Wynn (MD), Gene Green (TX), LOIS CAPPS (CA), Mike Doyle (PA), JANE HARMAN (CA), Tom Allen (ME), Jan Shakowsky (IL), HILDA L. SOLIS (CA), Charles A. Gonzalez (TX), Jay Inslee (WA), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Mike Ross (AR), Darlene Hooley (OR), Anthony D. Weiner (NY), Jim Matheson (UT), G.K. Butterfield (NC), Charlie Melancon (LA), John Barrow (GA), Baron P. Hill (IN)
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS (25 - 1 vacancy):
Joe Barton (TX), Ralph M. Hall (TX), Fred Upton (MI), Cliff Stearns (FL), Ed Whitfield (KY), Barbara Cubin (WY), John Shimkus (IL), Heather Wilson (NM), John Shadegg (AZ), Charles W. "Chip" Pickering (MS), Vito Fossella (NY), Roy Blunt (MO)***, Steve Buyer (IN), GEORGE RADANOVICH (CA), Joseph R. Pitts (PA), MARY BONO MACK (CA),  Greg Walden (OR), Lee Terry (NE), Mike Ferguson (NJ), Mike Rogers (MI), Sue Wilkins Myrick (NC), Joe Sullivan (OK), Tim Murphy (PA) [major co-sponsor of the bill], Michael C. Burgess (TX), Marsha Blackburn (TN [Note: *Membership changes occurred due to the death of Charlie Norwood (R-GA) on February 13, 2007, and the resignation of J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) from the Congress effective November 27, 2007. Representative Blunt was added to the committee on December 18, 2007.]
 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Subcommittee Chair: Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat - NJ)
Subcommittee Vice Chair: Gene Green (TX)
Ranking Republican Member: Nathan Deal (GA)
Total subcommittee members: 33 - 18 Democrats and 15 Republicans
Note: California members on the committee are listed in CAPITAL (red) letters and members are listed in order of seniority (how many years they have served in the House of Representatives)
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS (18 plus chair and vice chair)
HENRY A. WAXMAN (CA), Edolphus Towns (NY), Bart Gordon (TN), ANNA ESHOO (CA), Diana DeGette (CO), LOIS CAPPS (CA), Tom Allen (ME), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Eliot L. Engel (NY), Jan Schakowsky (IL), HILDA L. SOLIS (CA), Mike Ross (AR), Darlene Hooley (OR), Anthony D. Weiner (NY), Jim Matheson (UT), John D. Dingell (MI) [ex-officio]
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS (15)
Nathan Deal (GA), Ralph M. Hall (TX), Barbara Cubin (WY), Heather Wilson (NM), John B. Shadegg (AZ), Steve Buyer (IN), Joseph R. Pitts (PA), Mike Ferguson (NJ), Mike Rogers (MI), Sue Wilkins Myrick (NC), John Sullivan (OK), Tim Murphy (PA), Michael C. Burgess (TX), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Joe Barton (TX) [ex-officio member]

LIST OF  ALL 53 CALIFORNIA HOUSE MEMBERS
The members who are in CAPITAL letters (and color red for those who are able to view these reports in colors and other special formatted text) have signed on as co-sponsors of HR 5613.
 Members with "**" indicates they are on the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Members with "****" indicate they are on the Health Subcommittee
Note: CDCAN will issue an Action Alert will addresses, phone numbers and other contact info and sample letter later on Monday, April 7th. 

01st District - Mike Thompson (Democrat - St. Helena)
02nd District - Wally Herger (Republican - Marysville)
03rd District - Daniel E. Lungren (Republican-Gold River)
04th District - John T. Doolittle (Republican-Roseville)
05TH DISTRICT - DORIS O. MATSUI (DEMOCRAT - SACRAMENTO)
06th District - Lynn C. Woolsey (Democrat - Petaluma)
07th District - George Miller (Democrat - Martinez)
08th District - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat - San Francisco)
09th District - Barbara Lee (Democrat - Oakland)
10th District - Ellen O. Tauscher (Democrat - Alamo)
11th District - Jerry McNerney (Democrat - Pleasanton)
12th District - Vacancy - caused by death of Tom Lantos (Democrat)
13TH DISTRICT - FORTNEY PETE STARK (DEMOCRAT - FREMONT)
****14TH DISTRICT - ANNA G. ESHOO (DEMOCRAT - ATHERTON)
15th District - Michael M. Honda (Democrat - San Jose)
16th District - Zoe Lofgren (Democrat - San Jose)
17TH DISTRICT - SAM FARR (DEMOCRAT - CARMEL)
18TH DISTRICT - DENNIS CARDOZA (DEMOCRAT - ATWATER)
**19th District - George Radanovich (Republican - Mariposa)
20th District - Jim Costa (Democrat - Fresno)
21th District - Devin Nunes (Republican - Tulare)
22th District - Kevin McCarthy (Republican - Bakersfield)
****23RD DISTRICT - LOIS CAPPS (DEMOCRAT - SANTA BARBARA)
24th District - Elton Gallegly (Republican - Simi Valley)
25th District - Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon (Republican - Santa Clarita)
26th District - David Dreier (Republican - San Dimas)
27th District - Brad Sherman (Democrat - Sherman Oaks)
28th District - Howard L. Berman (Democrat - North Hollywood)
29th District - Adam B. Schiff (Democrat - Burbank)
****30TH DISTRICT - HENRY A. WAXMAN (DEMOCRAT - LOS ANGELES)
31ST District - Xavier Becerra (Democrat - Los Angeles)
****32ND DISTRICT - HILDA L. SOLIS (DEMOCRAT - EL MONTE)
33rd District - Diane E. Watson (Democrat - Los Angeles)
34th District - Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat - Los Angeles)
35th District - Maxine Waters (Democrat - Los Angeles)
**36TH DISTRICT JANE HARMAN (DEMOCRAT - VENICE)
37th District - Laura Richardson (Democrat - Long Beach)
38th District - Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat - Norwalk)
39th District - Linda T. Sánchez (Democrat - Lakewood)
40th District - Edward R. Royce (Republican - Fullerton)
41st District - Jerry Lewis (Republican - Redlands)
42nd District - Gary G. Miller (Republican - Diamond Bar)
43rd District - Joe Baca (Democrat - Rialto)
44th District - Ken Calvert (Republican - Corona)
**45th District - Mary Bono Mack (Republican - Palm Springs)
46th District - Dana Rohrabacher (Republican - Huntington Beach)
47th District - Loretta Sanchez (Democrat - Anaheim)
48th District - John Campbell (Republican - Irvine)
49th District - Darrell E. Issa (Republican - Vista)
50th District - Brian P. Bilbray (Republican - Carlsbad)
51st District - Bob Filner (Democrat - San Diego)
52nd District - Duncan Hunter (Republican - Alpine)
53rd District - Susan A. Davis (Democrat - San Diego)

 
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This report - and the CDCAN townhall telemeetings, and other events and projects are for all of them and for promoting advocacy without borders toward unified action.  We are one community.
To respond to this report reply to: Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com    CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports.  sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):

CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
Note: the paypal option on the CDCAN website is temporarily not working and will be fixed soon. 

 The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD.
MANY MANY THANKS to Alta California Regional Center, FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment), Friends of Children with Special Needs, Life Steps, Easter Seals California, Parents Helping Parents, UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Work Training, Foothill Autism Alliance, Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, , Strategies To Empower People (STEP), Harbor Regional Center, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California