Rep. Bilirakis Calls for Halt to Possible Medicaid Cuts
The Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613) extends until April 1, 2009, moratoria on seven Administration-imposed regulations that would shift large cost burdens on to cash-strapped state and local budgets, and could ultimately result in a significant scaling back of Medicaid services.
Despite a veto threat from the President, Congressman Bilirakis believes that both Congress and the President need to find a solution that does not affect states budgets or the Medicaid program so severely. Bilirakis is especially concerned about regulations that would prevent reimbursement for services provided for transporting Medicaid-eligible children to schools and limit reimbursements to safety-net hospitals.
"While I am extremely concerned about the runaway cost of entitlement spending and I understand the need to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program, this legislation simply puts a hold on regulation changes that would too dramatically affect Medicaid, while putting States in a position to pick up a tab that they simply will not be able to cover," said Bilirakis. "Congress needs to pass H.R. 5613 and then find a solution that addresses the impact these regulations will have on our states and communities."
Sponsored by Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), H.R. 5613 currently has 192 co-sponsors and is currently awaiting action by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.