Sebelius Reminds States of Upcoming Deadline To Apply for Medicaid Funds
This week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this week sent a letter to state governors reminding them that they have until Sept. 24 to apply for a share of $16.1 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding for states through June 2011, CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 8/18).
Background
Last week, President Obama signed into law a bill (HR 1586) that includes the extra federal Medicaid funding, hours after the House convened for an emergency session to approve the Senate-approved aid package.
The newly enacted package extends a provision in the 2009 federal economic stimulus package to provide states with extra Medicaid funding through the end of 2010.
The payments will be made on a sliding scale, starting with a 3.2% increase across the first three months of 2011 and a 1.2% increase in the next three months (California Healthline, 8/11).
Sebelius' Reminder
Sebelius noted that the "funds are only available for your state if you request them" within 45 days of the legislation being signed.
Sebelius also touted the various benefits the funding could provide to states, such as avoiding "deep cuts to Medicaid that many had feared" and preserving crucial jobs at hospitals and health centers.
She wrote, "As a former governor and current partner with states in running Medicaid, I urge you to act" (CQ HealthBeat, 8/18).
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