A bill to delay seven regulations that would eliminate or severely cut Medicaid health care programs won unanimous approval yesterday in the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 46 - 0. The top Senate Republican on this topic - Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) - opposes the House bill despite overwhelming bipartisan support for it. Grassley prefers to amend the regulations rather than postpone for a year. House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX) is confident the bill will pass both chambers and also that there is sufficient support to override a possible veto from the White House. Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt has sent a letter to the House committee this past Tuesday saying he would recommend a veto (read the letter)
The proposed regulations would end up transferring up to $50 billion in costs for the Medicaid program to states. These regulations would have eliminated payments for Medicaid-related administrative activities at schools and specialized medical transportation services for children and hospital outpatient services. They would also have restricted rehabilitation payments and slashed states' ability to provide case management services for disabled beneficiaries.
Having a bill that opposes an administration initiative passed out of a House committee by a vote of 46 - 0 is a pretty strong start. At this point it looks like Barton, et al, are right - Grassley is swimming up stream on this one.
Posted by Adam Hughes