|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Dan Deasy
|
|
House OKs Deasy resolution urging feds to extend
medical assistance funding increase
HARRISBURG, March 17 – In order to avoid an estimated $850 million budget shortfall, state Rep. Dan Deasy introduced legislation that was adopted unanimously by the House, calling on the federal government to further extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to June 30, 2011.
The Allegheny County lawmaker said this resolution (H.R. 681) is critical at a time when states are trying to work their way out of the worst recession in recent history.
"We've got to do all we can to shore up the financial future of this commonwealth without making program-ending cuts to important services for our residents," Deasy said.
More specifically, the resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass and President Obama to sign legislation to extend the FMAP extension for the states’ Medicaid Programs to June 30, 2011.
When Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it included provisions that increased the FMAP share for states’ Medicaid programs. The increase helped Pennsylvania and other states avoid having to make cuts in their current Medicaid programs during the current economic downturn.
"Forty-seven other states have already requested this extension," Deasy said, "and I think it is important that Pennsylvania get in line to ensure that we have what we need for the upcoming budget year."