Res. No.179
Resolution calling on the United States Congress to amend Title VI of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which allows states to impose additional Medicaid cost-sharing requirements and premiums, since such increased Medicaid costs directly threaten the lives of New York City’s African-American and Latino women with HIV/AIDS who, as women of color, are more likely to die of AIDS than white women.
By Council Member Barron, Brewer, Foster, Gonzalez, James, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Vann and Liu
Whereas, On February 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 into law; and
Whereas, Title VI of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 modifies the current law to allow states to impose additional Medicaid cost-sharing requirements and premiums; and
Whereas, According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 will cut approximately $4.8 billion dollars from Medicaid funding over five years, by allowing states to increase Medicaid co-payments and institute premiums; and
Whereas, The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) indicates that the Medicaid program is the largest payer in the United States for medical services provided to persons living with AIDS, and estimates that Medicaid pays for the care of 50 % of all persons living in the United States with AIDS; and
Whereas, According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over half of African-Americans and Latinos with HIV/AIDS rely on Medicaid; and
Whereas, An article appearing in the February 2, 2006 edition of The New York Times, indicates that African-Americans and Latinos account for 80% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses and deaths; and
Whereas, The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) “Health Assessment of Women of Color”, indicates that the death rates from HIV infection of African-American and Latino women are 13 and 3 times higher, respectively, as compared to white women; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That The Council of New York City calls on the United States Congress to amend Title VI of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which allows states to impose additional Medicaid cost-sharing requirements and premiums, since such increased Medicaid costs directly threaten the lives of New York City’s African-American and Latino women with HIV/AIDS who, as women of color, are more likely to die of AIDS than white women.
SO
LS# 351
3/8/06