House committee halts rules including Medicaid cuts

WASHINGTON The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved a one-year halt on proposed rules that would have provided cuts in Medicaid and would have costs states almost $18 billion over the next five years, according to published reports. The cuts were planned by the Bush administration.

The seven regulations that would be blocked include ending federal payments for rehabilitative services provided through such nonmedical programs as foster care, cutting funds for graduate medical education in hospitals and limiting coverage for care-management services.

“In the administration's haste to enact these rules, it has put in jeopardy needed services and protections for millions of vulnerable beneficiaries,” said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., who is the chairman of the committee.