Source:
AP2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration made clear Wednesday that it would oppose a moratorium on seven new rules that have the potential to reduce Medicaid spending by about $13 billion over the next five years.
The rules would affect a variety of health care providers, from hospitals to rehab centers for the developmentally disabled to school-based clinics. A bill that is moving through the House would block the rules from going into effect until March 2009.
Supporters of the moratorium say the rules will shift more costs onto states and the poor at a time when they cannot afford it. The administration said the rules will prevent states from improperly shifting more health costs onto the federal government.
Supporters of the moratorium got a boost last week when a House subcommittee approved the legislation. Also, Rep. Joe Barton, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, indicated that he thought the legislation will be "supported by both sides of the aisle." The full committee is scheduled to take up the legislation Wednesday afternoon.
Read more:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hP3Ugw6k6V7Ep9S86hHJ73hyERGQD90328MG8