Medicaid proposal gains backing on Hill

Bipartisan support for a plan to expand the Medicaid program to provide healthcare coverage for Katrina appears to be growing in Washington. Several key senators and governors warned on Wednesday they will support legislation sponsored by Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), which will extend Medicaid benefits to evacuees from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The White House has opposed the legislation, arguing that it could lead to a permanent expansion of the program; but the fight appears to be an uphill one. Even traditional allies like Sen. Trent Lott. (R-Miss.) said they will back the legislation. "At some point, you have to tell them: 'OK, ante up and kick in or get out of the game," Lott said yesterday.

- see this article from The Washington Post

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