Senate Vote on Medicaid Extension Passes, 61-38

Aug 4th, 2010

The Senate cloture vote on extending the enhanced Medicaid match passed 61-38 today, August 4, with Maine Senators Collins and Snowe voting with the Democrats.

Another Senate vote is still necessary as well as a vote by the House, but a clear signal has been sent to state capitols awaiting the funds to balance state budgets and prevent further cuts in health and other state programs.

Kentucky has a Medicaid matching rate of 80% federal/20% state funds under the federal stimulus legislation. This enhanced match is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010. Because Kentucky’s FY 2010-12 enacted budget assumes this higher federal matching rate will be continued, it is critical that Congress extend the enhanced matching rate or Kentucky will have to come up with approximately $230 million in additional state funds or reduce services to keep Medicaid operating at current appropriation levels.