Medicaid Regulations Moratoria Update
On Thursday May 15, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two of three amendments that make up the war supplemental spending bill including moratoria for seven Medicaid regulations. Though the actual funding amendment did not pass, the domestic provision, which includes the Medicaid moratoria, was passed by a vote of 256-166. This is not, however, enough to overturn a threatened veto from the President. The moratoria provision is the same language that the House passed in a stand alone bill (HR 5613). This legislation has been stalled in the Senate. However, that chamber did include moratoria language in their supplemental spending measure. Due to the uncertainty of H.R. 5613 in the Senate, the supplemental spending bill has become the hopeful legislative vehicle used to implement moratoria for seven Medicaid regulations.
On Thursday May 22, 2008, the Senate passed their version of the supplemental war spending bill by a 75-22 veto proof margin. Included in the measure was funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan along with domestic spending priorities including a moratorium for seven Medicaid regulations and a recission of the SCHIP August 17 directive. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives where the amended legislation is expected to be voted on within the coming weeks. However, obstacles remain in that chamber. The Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats, along with Republican members object to some provisions, particularly the domestic spending measures.
Despite this encouraging news, work still needs to be done to ensure that this language is included in the final bill. We encourage you to contact your Representative and ask him or her:
- To keep the language to delay implementation of all seven Medicaid regulations in the supplemental spending bill;
- remind them these moratoria will stop harmful Medicaid regulations from going into effect that would disrupt critical local safety net systems; and
- the moratoria provision includes similar language that the House passed in a stand alone bill (HR 5613) on April 23, 2008.
Use the Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121 to contact your Representative. Your calls are important and do make a difference.
To view more information about HR 5613, click here.
