Combination of Medicaid Funding, Medicaid Regulations Halt And SCHIP Expansion Likely

House Democrats might combine Medicaid funding increase, halting of Medicaid legislation and an expansion of SCHIP in one legislation. According to the legislation, a temporary boost would be given to the federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid. In addition there is a moratorium on new rules that will limit eligibility to Medicaid in the offing.

This statement was made by a readership aide on Tuesday. Democrats intend to garner GOP colleague support as well as support from Republican governors as the Democrats make the effort this year to pass legislation for SCHIP funding increase.

However with a presidential veto likely, the combination of bills may not get enough support to override the veto according to a house GOP aide. According to the aide, increasing the FMAP does not have support among many Republicans and a SCHIP revisit is not popular either.

According to the aide, if the Democrats make an effort to increase the Medicaid rate, fiscally conservative Democrats are “going to balk” at some point unless the increase in needed by the economy completely.