Billy House and Catherine Dolinski/Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- Florida will get about $4.3 billion in added federal Medicaid funding this year under the $825 billion economic recovery package being crafted by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, says Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa.
Compared with other states, Florida will get one of the highest percentage increases - about 13 percent -- in its Medicaid match rate, Castor said Thursday.
"This is a substantial shot in the arm for Florida's families and the economy," Castor said in an interview.
Castor is a member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee that is marking up, or writing, the economic recovery plan.
The Senate has not yet taken up the bill. But Castor said she's confident that this version, or one close to it, will be approved by both chambers since it is Obama's package and crafted by the Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate
Medicaid is the health insurance program that, in Florida, serves about 2.2 million low-income families and individuals -- half of them children -- as well as people with disabilities, pregnant women and those in nursing homes.
The $4.3 billion would reflect a boost in the current 55.4 percent rate at which the federal government matches what Florida spends on Medicaid.
The increase, to 67.8 percent, applies to Medicaid spending from October 2008 through the end of 2009.
Florida's high unemployment rate - topping 7 percent - is a big reason that the state is slated to receive such a large increase in federal Medicaid dollars.
The Congresswoman urged the state Legislature, which is poised to cut $3.5 billion from the state budget, not to miss the opportunity to draw down an unprecedented federal match for Medicaid by cutting state health care spending.
Earlier this month, lawmakers cut $195 million from the general revenue that Florida spends on its share of Medicaid expenses.
"They simply cannot continue to cut Medicaid," Castor said. "Especially when we will have, probably, the best matching rate that Florida has ever had."
She also urged them to reinstate the Medically Needy and Meds AD programs - optional Medicaid programs that help the poor and chronically ill, which lawmakers but removed from statute last spring. The Legislature funded both programs through the end of the current fiscal year, but they will end unless the Legislature chooses to save them.
The federal economic recovery package also would pick up 65 percent of the high COBRA premiums that people pay to maintain their employer-sponsored health insurance after leaving or being laid off from a job.
Castor said the federal package also would fully cover health care for people without access to COBRA through Medicaid. The federal government will temporarily pick up the entire tab for that population, she said, if the state will make the effort to enroll them in the system.
"This infusion of dollars is absolutely vital to Florida families and Florida's economy," Castor said. "Health care investments create and preserve jobs in the state while ensuring that families receive affordable medical care."
Castor said experts characterize Medicaid spending as equally important for the economy as building roads and infrastructure. "These monies are spent right away, on doctors and hospitals," she said. "It's a direct economic stimulus; it keeps people working."
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com (202) 662-7673. Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached a cdolinski@tampatribune.com or at (850) 222-8382.
Compared with other states, Florida will get one of the highest percentage increases - about 13 percent -- in its Medicaid match rate, Castor said Thursday.
"This is a substantial shot in the arm for Florida's families and the economy," Castor said in an interview.
Castor is a member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee that is marking up, or writing, the economic recovery plan.
The Senate has not yet taken up the bill. But Castor said she's confident that this version, or one close to it, will be approved by both chambers since it is Obama's package and crafted by the Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate
Medicaid is the health insurance program that, in Florida, serves about 2.2 million low-income families and individuals -- half of them children -- as well as people with disabilities, pregnant women and those in nursing homes.
The $4.3 billion would reflect a boost in the current 55.4 percent rate at which the federal government matches what Florida spends on Medicaid.
The increase, to 67.8 percent, applies to Medicaid spending from October 2008 through the end of 2009.
Florida's high unemployment rate - topping 7 percent - is a big reason that the state is slated to receive such a large increase in federal Medicaid dollars.
The Congresswoman urged the state Legislature, which is poised to cut $3.5 billion from the state budget, not to miss the opportunity to draw down an unprecedented federal match for Medicaid by cutting state health care spending.
Earlier this month, lawmakers cut $195 million from the general revenue that Florida spends on its share of Medicaid expenses.
"They simply cannot continue to cut Medicaid," Castor said. "Especially when we will have, probably, the best matching rate that Florida has ever had."
She also urged them to reinstate the Medically Needy and Meds AD programs - optional Medicaid programs that help the poor and chronically ill, which lawmakers but removed from statute last spring. The Legislature funded both programs through the end of the current fiscal year, but they will end unless the Legislature chooses to save them.
The federal economic recovery package also would pick up 65 percent of the high COBRA premiums that people pay to maintain their employer-sponsored health insurance after leaving or being laid off from a job.
Castor said the federal package also would fully cover health care for people without access to COBRA through Medicaid. The federal government will temporarily pick up the entire tab for that population, she said, if the state will make the effort to enroll them in the system.
"This infusion of dollars is absolutely vital to Florida families and Florida's economy," Castor said. "Health care investments create and preserve jobs in the state while ensuring that families receive affordable medical care."
Castor said experts characterize Medicaid spending as equally important for the economy as building roads and infrastructure. "These monies are spent right away, on doctors and hospitals," she said. "It's a direct economic stimulus; it keeps people working."
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com (202) 662-7673. Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached a cdolinski@tampatribune.com or at (850) 222-8382.