May 15,2007

Grassley Objects to Medicaid, Tax Provisions’ Inclusion in Supplemental Spending Bill

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, today expressed strong objection to the inclusion of Medicaid and tax provisions in the supplemental spending bill under development by appropriators. Grassley outlined his views in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Grassley said both Medicaid and tax policies are solely the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, and he objects to the inclusion of those items in a spending bill without the Finance Committee’s direct involvement. In particular, Grassley outlined his opposition to a provision that would delay the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ attempt to rein in problems with states’ inappropriate use of Medicaid funds.

“Legislating to prevent CMS from cleaning up intergovernmental transfers scams on this appropriation bill sets a bad precedent. That is clear. It is legislation on Medicaid, and that is a basic part of the jurisdiction of the Finance Committee,” Grassley wrote.

###