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 regulations until April 1, 2009. Under the regulations, proposed by the Bush administration, states could not use federal Medicaid funds to help pay for physician training. The regulations also would place new limits on Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes operated by state and local governments and limit coverage of rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities and mental illnesses. In addition, the bill would provide $25 million annually for efforts to fight 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 a veto-proof majority. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, "These rules are unwise, unvetted and unrealistic," adding, "The Senate is moving closer to joining with the House to make sure these rules never see the light of day." However, some Senate Republicans "are preparing for a fight by circulating a letter to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) to reject" the bill.  Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders also could include language to block the Medicaid regulations in a tentative second economic stimulus package.