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(Washington, D.C.) Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04) Thursday
urged the Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt to reinstate
cuts to Medicaid, which President Bush cut by $60 billion proposed
budget for fiscal year 2006. Secretary Leavitt testified Thursday in front
of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s full committee.
The following is a full transcript of Ross’s remarks:
“I appreciate the Secretary coming to testify today and like many of
my colleagues, I am deeply concerned about some of the proposals in the
Administration’s budget in regards to Medicaid.
“Medicaid serves over one-quarter of the total population of Arkansas.
More than half of these recipients are children. In Fiscal Year 2004,
nearly 700,000 children and adults were eligible for medical care through
the Medicaid program. Seventy-five percent of the nursing home patients
in Arkansas are provided care through Medicaid.
“Last week, I met with Governor Mike Huckabee, and he expressed concerns
regarding the sustainability of Medicaid and the impact of any reduction
of federal assistance with administering the program. Therefore, as the
Administration develops its changes to state funding rules, administrative
payment cuts, and other “reforms”, please do not lose sight of those who
need Medicaid to live.” |
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