U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today she is continuing to push for quality, affordable health care with an immediate increase of Medicaid dollars to Florida and other states suffering from the economic downturn.  As Congress considers a second economic stimulus package, Castor will fight to focus the package on jobs and health care.

The 2003 stimulus package helped provide more funding for Medicaid while also helping boost the economy. Medicaid funding often suffers when states grapple with balancing their budgets during significant economic downturns.  Indeed, the State of Florida is in the midst of a serious budget shortfall.

Noting today's negative developments in the financial markets, Castor said Washington needs to focus on Main Street and communities like Tampa Bay neighborhoods, and not just Wall Street. "We're in the midst of a very serious economic crisis," Castor said. "With expanded investment to the states of Medicaid dollars, we can attack both the lack of health care and provide jobs in one our most important sectors".

An influx of additional federal Medicaid funds helps to stimulate the state economy.  And, it immediately helps the private sector. For example, it prevents doctors from having to take as many patients without any insurance, and hospitals from treating patients that end up being unable to pay their bills.

Castor also focused on the need to attack the long-term issues of the lack of accessible and affordable healthcare and health insurance. At the Floyd "Doc" Kelton Health Center, Castor was reunited with 3-year-old Bethany Wilkerson, who was born with holes in her heart. Because Bethany was enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program, she was able to get the medical care she needed. But millions of families cannot access SCHIP or afford private health insurance, turning instead to emergency rooms.

"People without health insurance and their children are suffering and my neighbors with health insurance are picking up the costs," Castor said.  "Everyone is paying because we don't have a rational health care system."

President Bush last year vetoed a measure to expand SCHIP. The bill would have covered an additional 10 million children.  "Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed it," Castor said. "We're not going to give up."

Groups joining Castor in sending the message to Washington include the Florida Consumer Action Network, Acorn and Planned Parenthood, among others.