Joint Association Letter to the House of Representatives re: H.R. 5834: September 26, 2006

September 26, 2006

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Members,

The undersigned education associations urge you to co-sponsor HR 5834, the Protecting Children’s Health in School Act of 2006 and urge its passage during the likely lame duck session after the elections.   The Protecting Children’s Health in School Act of 2006 maintains the ability of public school districts to continue claiming reimbursement from Medicaid for the costs associated with Medicaid eligible health care services rendered by school districts for students with disabilities and students served at school based clinics. 

Even though federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rose to historic highs from 2001 to 2005 it shrunk last year and looks to be funded at a below inflation level this year; so federal funds to serve students with disabilities from all sources are sorely needed by school districts.  When Congress reauthorized IDEA in 2004, it required that school districts provide additional services for eligible students; therefore, the cost of educating students with disabilities continues to grow. Adding new requirements, when federal funding levels off, forces school districts to make up the shortfall in their special education budgets by diverting funds from their general education budgets.  Given the increased stakes for achievement of all students under No Child Left Behind, losing funds for general education would be devastating.

On top of the need to fund special education adequately, our organizations remain concerned as the number of uninsured children has grown by around 2 million.  For many of these students, Medicaid is their only insurance and for those disabled students, schools are a primary provider of needed health services such as diagnostic, preventive, and rehabilitative services; and speech, physical and occupational therapies.

The Center for Medicaid Services has unwisely decided that this is the year to shift more special education costs onto local communities by eliminating school districts ability to claim the administrative and transportation costs associated with Medicaid eligible medical services for students with disabilities and Medicaid eligible students served at school based clinics. 

Please co sponsor HR 5834 to stop CMS from adding $3.65 billion in health care costs to local education budgets over the next five years.  And more importantly, vote for HR5834 as a stand alone bill or as an amendment if it emerges for action before the adjournment for the November elections or in the prospective lame duck session. Students with disabilities who need these health care services, and low-income non-disabled students who receive health services at school need your vote.

Sincerely,

American Association of School Administrators
Council of Great City Schools
National School Boards Association