The Senate voted 92-6 late yesterday to approve an amendment to the Iraq war spending bill that includes a moratorium delaying six of seven impending Medicaid rules until April 2009. The AHA-supported measure passed the House last week, and the president is expected to sign it into law.
It delays Medicaid rules covering certified public expenditures, intergovernmental transfers and graduate medical education that would have a dramatic impact on hospitals, as well as rules affecting state provider tax laws, case management services, rehab services and school outreach. “We thank Congress for putting first the needs of the 57 million children, low-income seniors and disabled who depend on Medicaid for their health care,” said AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack. “However, we are disappointed that Congress did not include the outpatient regulation in its moratorium. This regulation will jeopardize important community-based services, including screening, diagnostic and dental services for children as well as lab and ambulance services. We will continue to work with Congress to protect Medicaid for the patients and communities America’s hospitals serve.”
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