[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      STATE AID MEDICAID TEMPORARY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, one of the many interesting challenges this 
Congress will face is that of fundamental Medicaid reform. The 
President unveiled an innovative and exciting proposal earlier this 
year, and the budget that we adopted in April anticipates Congressional 
action by creating a reserve fund of resources for modernizing 
Medicaid.
  Of course, the jobs and growth package presently before us contains a 
temporary state aid program of $20 billion. Under this interim plan, up 
to $10 billion will flow through the Medicaid program over the next 18 
months. This time-limited spending, proposed in the Senate by Senators 
Collins and Nelson, as well as Senator Rockefeller, is provisional, 
lasting only until September 30, 2004. Further, Mr. President, my three 
colleagues entered a colloquy in the Record on May 14, 2003, to that 
effect. The language that passed the Senate, and the language contained 
in the conference report, clearly states that the program itself is 
repealed in 2004. The Senate sponsors of this provision have 
acknowledged that the program is not to be permanent, and both the 
chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Grassley, and the chairman 
of the Budget Committee, Senator Nickles, agree that this program is to 
last no longer than September 30, 2004. As the program unfolds, based 
on the commitment of its sponsors and the chairmen, I will be 
monitoring to ensure that the program is indeed transient, and will 
work with colleagues to keep it temporary.
  Further, in no way does this provision in the state aid package 
obstruct the opportunity provided in the budget resolution for the 
Senate Committee on Finance and the House Energy and Commerce Committee 
to move ahead on Medicaid modernization. Since the administration 
detailed its plan, various committees in the House and Senate have 
explored its features, and Medicaid modernization that enhances 
flexibility and responsiveness is a goal many share as we move into the 
21st century. I look forward to the creativity and ingenuity of the 
chairmen of the relevant committees, Senator Grassley and Mr. Tauzin, 
as they move forward in the coming weeks and months.

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