WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today praised the passage of H.R. 5613, the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, on a strong, bipartisan vote of 349 to 62. DeGette supported today’s measure saying “it is a win for America’s public hospitals and those desperately in need of health care.”

“The Bush Administration’s draconian changes proposed to the Medicaid system threaten the viability of our nation’s safety-net hospitals. Institutions across the country, including those in Colorado, face the real possibility of closing their doors to people in need. The House took aggressive action today by passing strong, bipartisan legislation that will stand up to President Bush’s veto threat.

“The President used a meat cleaver in making ill-conceived cuts to the Medicaid program, when he should have used a scalpel if he felt changes were needed. Cutting-edge public hospitals, like Denver Health in my district, are employing innovative, cost-effective ways to provide quality health care. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in assuring the continued viability of Medicaid.”

The measure was passed under suspension of the rules requiring a 2/3 vote approval for passage – the necessary number for a veto proof majority. The measure now moves to the U.S. Senate for its consideration.