NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

DINGELL OPPOSES ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS TO RESTRICT MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY

Washington, D.C. – Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today issued the following statement in response to news that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is adopting a more restrictive policy regarding Medicaid eligibility and blocking State plans to cover more uninsured people through the Medicaid program:

"It comes as no surprise that this Administration, which has consistently ignored the needs of America’s working families and their children, is now placing restrictions on efforts to cover uninsured Americans under Medicaid. With more than 46 million currently uninsured, State efforts to protect the health of more low-income citizens should be encouraged, not blocked. Instead, the Bush Administration has again chosen to prevent States from providing affordable coverage to more uninsured children. The restrictions the Administration is imposing - on both SCHIP and Medicaid - are arbitrary, shameful and harmful.”

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