Senate Fast-Tracks Bill To Delay New Medicaid Rules

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid granted fast-track status to legislation that would block for one year Medicaid regulations that likely would cut federal health care spending on the poor and force states to absorb more costs. The House passed the bill on Wednesday with enough votes to override a presidential veto. Meanwhile, East Bay hospitals said they would be forced to dramatically cut services if the new Medicaid rules take effect.

• "Senate Fast-Tracks Medicaid Bill" (Zhang, Wall Street Journal, 4/25).
  
• "Fed Cuts Threaten East Bay Hospitals" (Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, 4/24).