Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Medicaid Bill Held Up in Senate

The White House and many Congressional GOP leaders continue to oppose the Grassley/Baucus Medicaid bill to expand Medicaid eligibility for displaced Hurricane Katrina victims. Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) of the Finance Committee have encountered resistance to their bill from conservatives who object to its cost. However, Grassley noted yesterday that "some of the very same people that are impediments" to the bill will be looking to him for help extending the capital gains tax cut this year.

Last friday Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) blocked Grassley's attempt to bring the Medicaid bill up for an unanimous consent vote in the Senate. In response, Grassley warned that there might not be a reconciliation bill for spending or tax cuts if key conservatives continue to oppose his Medicaid bill.

Posted by Becky Lewis