Lawmakers spar over Medicaid bill for storm victims:Reid:GOP objections pr

[NVMojo]

Reid: GOP objections pretty cold

WASHINGTON -- The Senate is in the midst of an emotional spat over a Medicaid bill that pits President Bush and Sen. John Ensign on one side and Gov. Kenny Guinn and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on the other.

The legislation, with a price tag of roughly $8 billion, would expand Medicaid to poor hurricane victims for at least the next five months in the states where they now reside, reimbursing the states for 100 percent of Medicaid costs.

The federal government and states typically split Medicaid costs 50-50. But state leaders are arguing that the federal government should pick up the full Medicaid tab -- at least for a while -- for the hurricane victims who have taken up residence in their states.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/sep/...