Senate fast tracks Medicaid bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday granted fast-track status to legislation (HR 5613) that would block for one year seven new Medicaid regulations, the Wall Street Journal reports (Zhang, Wall Street Journal,4/25). The legislation would delay implementation of the regulationsuntil April 1, 2009. Under the regulations, proposed by the Bushadministration, states could not use federal Medicaid funds to help payfor physician training. The regulations also would place new limits onMedicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes operated bystate and local governments and limit coverage of rehabilitationservices for individuals with disabilities and mental illnesses. Inaddition, the bill would provide $25 million annually for efforts tofight Medicaid fraud (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 4/24).  The bill will bypass the Senate Finance Committee and head straight to the Senate floor as early as next week.  The bill passed the House on Wednesday with more than aveto-proof majority. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “These rulesare unwise, unvetted and unrealistic,” adding, “The Senate is movingcloser to joining with the House to make sure these rules never see thelight of day.” However, some Senate Republicans “are preparing for afight by circulating a letter to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)to reject” the bill.  Meanwhile,House Democratic leaders also could include language to block theMedicaid regulations in a tentative second economic stimulus package.