Dingell-Murphy Bill Signed into Law

Press Release

Dingell-Murphy Bill Signed into Law

Medicaid Services for Needy Seniors, Children and Disabled Saved from Cuts

Medicaid beneficiaries will continue to receive crucial services after the President signed into law legislation that prevents severe cuts to the program and saves taxpayers money by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. Working with House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (MI-15), Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18), helped steer the legislation -- The Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act (H.R. 5613) -- through to final passage as prime co-sponsor.

"Our nation's most vulnerable, our children and those with physical and mental disabilities, will continue to receive much needed Medicaid services," said Congressman Tim Murphy, who co-authored the legislation. "Without this legislation, Pennsylvania alone would have lost $275 million in federal Medicaid money next year and an additional $285 million the next - money that goes towards schools serving children with mental or physical health needs, teaching hospitals, case manage programs, and other services for the needy."

During the past year, HHS issued a number of regulations to eliminate federal payments for some critical Medicaid functions, including: Public safety net institutions; coverage of rehabilitation services for people with disabilities; outreach and enrollment in schools as well as specialized medical transportation to school for children covered by Medicaid; graduate medical education payments; coverage of hospital clinic services; case management services that allow people with disabilities to remain in the community; and state provider tax laws. The Dingell-Murphy legislation prevents the implementation of these regulations for one year.

"The legislation also builds safeguards into the Medicaid system so no one can falsely claim benefits, protecting taxpayers from paying for scams and fraud," continued Congressman Murphy. "It also ensures Medicaid money goes to the needy. We garnered strong bipartisan support by ending the fraud and requiring an electronic asset-verification system for Medicaid. There will now be a net savings for taxpayers."

"The Dingell-Murphy bill shows how Congress can work together to reform healthcare and save money. We now have the opportunity to move forward on other reforms, such as eliminating healthcare acquired infections, reducing medical errors, and using health information technology to reduce costs and save lives."

Source