Health Groups Request Congressional
Medicaid Hearings
March 29, 2002 - The AAMC and representatives from
12 physician, hospital and insurer groups requested March
22 that the House Commerce and Senate Finance committees hold
oversight hearings on the Medicaid program. The letter
cited the need to hold hearings in light of the fiscal challenges
currently experienced by state budgets and decreases in federal
assistance.
Specifically, the letter identifies four subject hearing
areas:
- Initiatives aimed at temporarily enhancing the Federal
Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP);
- Inconsistent oversight of and public participation in
the process to develop and review state Medicaid waivers
under the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability
(HIFA) initiative;
- Cuts in Medicaid Disproportionate Share (DSH) payments
scheduled for Oct. 1; and
- Changes to the Medicaid upper payment limit (UPL) regulation.
The letter states "Our nation's health providers, especially
those that serve the Medicaid population, are concerned that
economic pressure at the state level, coupled with inadequate
federal assistance, will impinge upon the ability of America's
poor to access vital care."
Information:
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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