Author: PCG | Posted: 6. August 2010 05:06
On Thursday, August 5, 2010, in a highly anticipated procedural vote (61-38), the Senate invoked cloture on a substitute amendment to H.R. 1586, which contains a six-month extension of an enhanced match for the Medicaid (FMAP) and Title IV-E programs. In particular, the legislation would provide states $16.1 billion through a phased-down enhanced match--providing 3.1 percent beginning the first calendar quarter of FY2011, then dropping to 1.2 percent in the second calendar quarter.
The legislation also contains $10 billion for an Education Jobs Fund, subject to maintenance of effort requirements. The legislation is paid for by provisions that include an earlier sunset (by two years) of the temporary increase in benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/ Food Stamps, which were provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) yesterday announced that she will be calling the House back into session next week to “save teachers’ jobs and help seniors and children.” Lawmakers are on their August recess.
The impact for states is huge and very timely as states across the country have been scrambling to recast the budgets set for the 2011 state fiscal year. While the FMAP increases will be reduced over the final two quarters, the additional $16 billion will infuse the child welfare system and Medicaid system to support the most vulnerable children and families.
