(Washington, DC) - Today Congresswoman Moore released the following statement regarding House floor debate on HR 5613, the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008.

“Madam Speaker, today I join a bipartisan House to stand up to the Bush Administration to prevent it from irresponsibly slashing the Medicaid budget.  States that work with the Federal government to run and fund Medicaid programs are already facing budgetary restraints, flat funding, and shortfalls.  The Administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid would exacerbate their budgetary crunch, and would directly affect the quality of care given to low income kids, seniors, families and people living with disabilities.
 
“The bill before us today, HR 5613, would place a one year moratorium on seven Medicaid regulations proposed by the Administration.  This one year moratorium would give Congress more time to evaluate the potential effects of his proposed cuts on state Medicaid programs and the individuals that they serve.  Several groups have warned that the unexpected slashes in Federal Medicaid dollars could force states to shift their Medicaid costs to patients, who would be hard pressed to make up the differences in health care costs.  At present, some 30 million low income children depend on the Medicaid program. 

“The Government Accountability Office testified that it had not recommended the specific changes proposed by the Administration, nor had officials there had time to adequately study the potential effects of these changes for 6 of the 7 regulations.  Before the President starts tinkering with domestic programs upon which millions of our most vulnerable citizens rely, he owes it to them to do his homework.   If he won’t, then Congress owes it to the American people to investigate his proposed changes so we can fully understand their effect on poor and working families.   

“Nearly 2,000 groups from across the country, including school districts, hospitals, case management providers, and organizations serving people with disabilities and mental illnesses have joined us in support of the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act.  I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and urge my colleagues to cast their votes in favor of it.”

HR 5613 is expected to pass the House tonight and the Senate in the coming days.  The President has threatened to veto this legislation.  

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Andrew Stevens at 202-225-4572.

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