Though it's gotten little attention, a provision in House health reform bill could offer a big boost to state Medicaid programs. If passed, the bill would allot $23.5 billion to Medicaid funding, offering relief to states struggling with the rapidly-growing costs of the program. The stimulus has already pushed up the federal share of the program's costs from an average of 57 percent to 66 percent, and the new provision would keep funding at post-stimulus levels for an additional six months. This would wipe out most of the projected state budget shortfalls for next year. Article