Medicaid Changes Caught Between President and Congress      

Congress is in the midst of voting this week regarding changes to Medicaid that would cut services and cost the states millions of dollars. 

This vote is extremely important – so much so that even though President Bush has threatened to veto, the Senate is still working to stop the Bush changes that would eliminate or greatly decrease services.

The House Energy and Commerce Commission voted last week – unanimously – to create a one year moratorium on the rules that Bush is pushing for, even though Bush could try to veto the vote.

States are worried that if the changes Bush wants actually come to pass, not only will services be cut, but states will have to pay out  billions of dollars within the next five years, while at the same time experiencing serious disruptions in medical services and the Medicaid system.

Since Bush leaves office in January 2009, it is hoped that there will be a strong enough vote for the moratorium (2/3 of the House and Senate) to hold off until that time to re-address the issue.

Those who would be hurt most if Bush gets his way would be Children and Individuals with Disabilities.   Special education services would be cut and services that allow individuals with disabilities to stay in their own homes and maintain home health services could lose essential benefits.  In addition, indigent individuals would lose critical treatment and services.

Congress is fighting hard to stop President Bush from vetoing the moratorium.  There is an excellent chance that Congress will win and the president will not be able to use his veto power. 

This is an important issue to keep an eye on.  Though states, communities and individuals will not feel the crunch immediately if the president has his way, it is still critical for all Medicaid recipients to stay aware of. 

Entry Filed under: General-Medicaid