[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PROTECTING THE MEDICAID SAFETY NET ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H.R. 
5613, the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act. This important 
bipartisan bill extends a moratorium until April 1, 2009 on seven 
Administration-imposed Medicaid regulations that if implemented, would 
severely reduce Federal Medicaid funding.
  Without the moratorium, Medicaid funding to States for vital programs 
and services would be cut by $18 billion over the next 5 years. These 
cuts include restrictions on Medicaid payments for graduate medical 
education (GME), rehabilitation services, and outpatient hospital 
services, among other services.
  It would be irresponsible to think about cutting funding to academic 
medical centers and residency training programs when we currently face 
a shortage of physicians. If these cuts were allowed to go into effect, 
we would be unable to provide necessary medical services to many people 
who depend upon Medicaid. Constantly cutting funds to the very services 
which keep our fragmented, non-system of health care afloat is inhumane 
and nonsensical.
  The tactic of underfunding Federal programs in an attempt to 
undermine their effectiveness demonstrates the Administration's lack of 
commitment to the programs that faithfully and effectively serve the 
American people.
  Mr. Speaker, passage of H.R. 5613 is simply a necessity. We must halt 
the underfunding of important Medicaid programs. I wholeheartedly 
support the passage of H.R. 5613, the Protecting the Medicaid Safety 
Net Act.

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