November 17,2006

Baucus Disappointed With Medicaid Commission Recommendations

Washington, DC – Senator Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), today issued the following statement after the Bush Administration’s Medicaid Commission approved its final recommendations for reform to the Medicaid program, a federal-state program that provides health and long-term care services to low-income elderly and disabled individuals, children, pregnant women and parents. The Commission was organized to make these recommendations by the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt on May 19, 2006. As the incoming Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Baucus will play a lead role in the next Congress on any changes to the Medicaid program.

“I was disappointed with the final recommendations of Secretary Leavitt’s Medicaid Commission,” said Baucus. “While the Commission’s interest in improving quality and promoting health information technology for Medicaid is laudable, many of its recommendations will undermine Federal oversight of the program and reduce the likelihood that the most vulnerable Americans will get the comprehensive health care they need. This program serves more than 55 million Americans, and it should receive truly independent analysis as we look to its future. I look forward to working with all my colleagues in Congress to secure Medicaid for future generations.”

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