McMorris Rodgers’ Medicaid Reform Bill Passes Health Subcommittee

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement today after the House Health Subcommittee approved her landmark Medicaid reform bill, The State Flexibility Act:

“Whether it’s Governors or taxpayers or Medicaid recipients, they all deserve flexibility and choice, rather than top-down requirements imposed by bureaucrats thousands of miles away,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “Our bill will bring much needed-flexibility to Medicaid, avoid a potential fiscal disaster, and ensure the program’s availability for those who need it most.”

The State Flexibility Act,introduced by Rep. McMorris Rodgers and Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), repeals the Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements included in the stimulus bill and The Patient Protection Act. The MOE prohibits states from adjusting their eligibility for Medicaid prior to the program’s explosive expansion scheduled for 2014 – also a product of last year’s health care law. The bipartisan National Governors Association calls MOE reform one of their top priorities for Congress this year.

The State Flexibility Actis endorsed by Americans for Tax Reform and Citizens Against Government Waste. To learn more about the bill, click here.