June 27, 2013

Fellow Members: We the undersigned have chosen to write to you regarding a subject that is of great importance. As the 2013-2014 budget moves forward, the temptation to include an approval on Medicaid Expansion as a result of the Affordable Care Act for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has entered the budget discussions. This expansion will extend Medicaid services to 25 percent of all Pennsylvanians and expand a system that is already broken. Pennsylvania already spends $7,400 per Medicaid recipient, far more than the $4,000-$5,000 per recipient in other states. Given the ineffectiveness and heavy cost burden, we cannot allow a rushed plan to become a reality for Pennsylvanians for years to come. We believe that we have a duty to stand with the taxpayers of Pennsylvania during the budget process and reject any inclusion or any element of this expansion that is part of this budget. We are prepared to stand firm on our commitment on a budget that includes Medicaid Expansion. As such, we are prepared to vote no on the General Appropriation bill if any component of the budget expands Medicaid. There is no deadline for Medicaid Expansion and we understand that every member of this Caucus has the best interests of their constituents at heart. However, there will be a generational cost to pay for implementing a plan that is based on promises from a federal government that has proven its inability to follow through with commitments. If you believe the federal government will follow through on its commitments, consider special education. The federal government promised it would fund special education at 40 percent. The current level of funding is only 17 percent. We look forward to working on necessary reforms to the current system to better serve those in need, as well as the taxpayers.

Rep. Ryan Aument, 41st Legislative District Rep. Stephen Bloom, 199th Legislative District Rep. Jim Christiana, 15th Legislative District Rep. Jim Cox, 129th Legislative District Rep. Bryan Cutler, 100th Legislative District Rep. Gordon Denlinger, 99th Legislative District Rep. George Dunbar, 56th Legislative District Rep. Eli Evankovich, 54th Legislative District Rep. Mindy Fee, 37th Legislative District Rep. Matt Gabler, 75th Legislative District Rep. Keith Greiner, 43rd Legislative District Rep. Seth Grove, 196th Legislative District Rep. Doyle Heffley, 122nd Legislative District Rep. Dave Hickernell, 98th Legislative District Rep. Rob Kauffman, 89th Legislative District Rep. Jerry Knowles, 124th Legislative District Rep. Tim Krieger, 57th Legislative District Rep. John Lawrence, 13th Legislative District Rep. Ryan E. Mackenzie, 134th Legislative District Rep. John McGinnis, 79th Legislative District Rep. Steven Mentzer, 97th Legislative District Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, 12th Legislative District Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, 69th Legislative District

Rep. Dan Moul, 91st Legislative District Rep. Mark Mustio, 44th Legislative District Rep. Kathy Rapp, 65th Legislative District Rep. Mike Reese, 59th Legislative District Rep. Brad Roae, 6th Legislative District Rep. Tommy Sankey, 74th Legislative District Rep. Justin Simmons, 131st Legislative District Rep. Rosemarie Swanger, 102nd Legislative District Rep. Will Tallman, 93rd Legislative District Rep. Dan Truitt, 156th Legislative District