Medicaid Changes Would Be Severe on Local Economy

Statement

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, offered the following statement on the Families USA report entitled, "Bad Medicine: The President's Medicaid Regulations Will Weaken Colorado's Economy."

"The Bush Administration's ill-conceived alterations of the Medicaid system will have a drastic affect on Colorado's entire safety-net," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over health care policy. "The Families USA report offers another chilling perspective that these regulations would severely harm our state. With our economy stumbling and health care costs rising, we cannot afford another blow to our local economy as hospitals face the real threat of closing their doors.

"Congress is working aggressively to halt the implementation of these draconian regulations. It is a top priority to pass bipartisan legislation, placing a temporary, one-year moratorium on the rules, expected in the House soon."

Source