Governor Bill Richardson Praises Senator Bingaman for Restoring Medicaid Money

Governor Bill Richardson Praises Senator Bingaman for Restoring Medicaid Money

Governor Bill Richardson today praised the U.S. Senate and the successful efforts of Senator Jeff Bingaman, for passing an important, bipartisan amendment that prevents more than $14 billion in proposed federal cuts to Medicaid. Sen. Bingaman and
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) successfully added the amendment - on a 52-48 vote -- to the 2006 Budget Resolution being debated in the Senate.

"Senator Bingaman stood up for New Mexico today by leading the charge to ensure that the federal government does not pass on the costs of Medicaid to states," Governor Bill Richardson said.

"As the cost of prescription drugs and health care skyrocket, the core program that delivers health care to the nation's poorest and most vulnerable is under growing and unsustainable pressure," Governor Bill Richardson said. "A plan to address the Medicaid crisis that simply calls for federal funding cuts is no plan at all; shifting financial responsibility to states already stretched thin is an unworkable solution and would force states to make impossible decisions."

The New Mexico Department of Human Services estimates Senator Bingaman's amendment will save New Mexico taxpayers $45 million overall in Medicaid funding in the 2006 budget year.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press/2005/march/031705_1.pdf