Rep. Dingell Introduces Legislation That Would Delay Seven New Medicaid Regulations For One Year

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) on Thursday introduced a bill (HR 5613) that would postpone seven new Medicaid regulations for one year -- "potentially killing them, depending on who is president by then," CQ Today reports (Wayne, CQ Today, 3/14). The regulations, proposed by the Bush administration, would prohibit states from using federal Medicaid funds to help pay for physician training, place new limits on Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes operated by state and local government, and limit coverage of rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, including those with mental illnesses (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/4).

Dingell in a statement said, "The restrictions the administration is imposing on Medicaid are harmful and will undoubtedly put the health of thousands of our most vulnerable children at unnecessary, indefensible risk." Dennis Smith, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations at CMS, said the Bush administration does not plan to delay the regulations because of congressional concerns.