Capps Applauds House Action to Protect the Medicaid Safety Net

Statement

Today Congresswoman Lois Capps applauded the House's bipartisan action to protect the Medicaid safety net and reject potentially devastating new Medicaid regulations proposed by the Bush Administration. The Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act (H.R. 5613) establishes a moratorium through March 2009 on seven Bush Administration-imposed Medicaid regulations. Without action by Congress, these proposed regulations would slash federal Medicaid funding to states for vital programs and services by about $18 billion over the next five years. The House voted to approve the legislation by 349 to 62.

"Gutting funding for low income health care at a time when more Americans are experiencing economic hardship and turning to Medicaid for assistance in their time of need is beyond foolish," said Capps. "Now more than ever we need the Medicaid safety net to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. These misguided Bush Administration regulations would hurt our ability to properly serve the Medicaid population and would be particularly harmful for school-based health services and targeted case management. I'm proud that the House has acted quickly to protect these vital services."

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