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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2005
Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner
(202) 226-7797

   

Rep. Jim Davis Urges Gov. Bush to Hold Open Debate on Medicaid Reform

Davis Offers to Co-host Medicaid Public Forum in Tampa  

WASHINGTON , DC – Today, Congressman Jim Davis sent a letter to Governor Jeb Bush urging him to allow for a public debate on his proposal to reform Florida ’s Medicaid program, as well as alternative solutions to the problems facing the program.  Click here to read Rep. Davis' letter.

Davis offered to co-host the first public forum in the Tampa Bay area.  Congressman Davis, a member of the U.S. House Committee on Commerce and Energy, which has jurisdiction over the Medicaid program, wrote to Gov. Bush last year expressing his concerns about rumored Medicaid reforms and their impact on Florida’s neediest patients.

On Friday, Gov. Bush met with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, to discuss potential reforms to Florida ’s Medicaid program.  To enact the Medicaid reforms that Gov. Bush unveiled today, the State must ask the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive federal regulations governing Florida ’s Medicaid program.  Once a waiver is requested, CMS must take action within 60 days.

“The Medicaid Program is of life and death importance to countless Floridians,” said Congressman Davis.  Florida ’s Medicaid program faces great challenges in the future which must be addressed, but before the Governor takes steps to dramatically reform the program, I hope he will include Floridians in the decision-making process.”  

 


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