FMAP Extension Remains in Limbo

The Senate begins the week of July 19^th working on a jobs/tax extension bill (HR 4213) which has devolved into separate measures.  On Tuesday, following the swearing in of Carte Goodwin to replace West Virginia Senator Byrd’s seat, the Senate will focus on extension of unemployment benefits until November. A remaining element that extends additional Medicaid funding to the states that is set to expire at the end of the year is in limbo. Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) has included FMAP extension in his legislative agenda for the summer.  Other provisions of the original larger bill such as a short-term extension for Medicare physician payment relief were separated into a separate measure that became law  last month. Another bill that includes various Medicare and Medicaid program extensions was approved by the House last week and started preliminary action in the Senate on Thursday.