• Mission & Governance
• Services Overview
• How to Get Involved
• Standing Committees
• NCSL Foundation

• Issue Areas: A-Z
• State-Federal Relations
• NCSL Standing Committees
• News from D.C. and the States

• About State Legislatures
• Elections, Campaigns & Redistricting
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory
• Web Sites

• Online Guide to NCSL Services
• Staff Sections and Networks
• Meetings & Professional Development
• Staff Directories

• Meetings Calendar
• Online Registration
• Meetings Home Page
• Legislative Summit

• Bookstore
• State Legislatures Magazine
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory

ACTION ALERT

National Conference of State Legislatures
Office of State-Federal Relations
March 15, 2005

---

URGENT!!

MEDICAID – ON THE ROPES, HELP WANTED

Budget Resolution on Senate Floor
The Senate is currently considering the FY 2006 budget resolution (Senate Con. Res. 18).  Pending before the body is a Smith (R-Oregon) amendment to remove the Medicaid reductions ($15 billion over 5 years) and replace it with the establishment of a Medicaid Commission.  The Commission would have one year to develop a reform plan for Medicaid.  The House Budget Committee has proposed a $20 billion reduction in Medicaid funding over the 5-year period. The chart below illustrates the reductions proposed by President Bush in his FY 2006 budget proposal.  The House bill tracks the Administration’s proposals.  The Senate bill is slightly below the Administration’s 5-year proposal. 

NCSL supports the Smith amendment and supports the establishment of a Medicaid Commission (S. 338).  We urge you to call your Senators and to urge them to support the amendment.  The vote on the amendment will likely occur later today.  

FY 2006 Budget--- Proposed Medicaid Changes FY 2006-2010; FY 2006-2015

NCSL Staff Contact: Joy Johnson Wilson, Health Policy Director (202-624-8689, joy.wilson@ncsl.org)

We would appreciate any feedback you are able to provide regarding support or opposition to the amendment. Please forward any feedback to Joy Wilson.