Letter to House Speaker Urges
Temporary FMAP Increase
September 27, 2002-A Sept. 19 letter signed by 158
House members was sent to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.),
urging him to work toward legislation that would temporarily
increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP),
or Medicaid "match." The bipartisan letter warned
that state budget deficits and subsequent cuts to state Medicaid
programs are occurring "at the very time when hospitals,
other healthcare facilities, and healthcare workers are being
called upon to do even more to help protect the safety and
well being of our citizens." According to the letter,
Congress "can not afford to put our hospitals …
in further financial jeopardy precisely at a time when they
must heighten their preparedness."
The Senate has passed a temporary FMAP increase as part of
its generic prescription drug bill (S.
812) [see Washington Highlights,
Aug. 2]. The AAMC sent a letter to both the House and
Senate earlier this year, expressing support for a temporary
increase in the Medicaid match.
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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