September 14,2005

Statement of U.S. Senator Max Baucus on Hurricane Katrina Health Relief Package


(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senator Max Baucus, ranking member of the Senate FinanceCommittee, issued the following statement regarding the announcement of health and welfareprovisions designed to provide assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The package wasannounced with Chairman Charles Grassley today. The statement follows:

“Unsanitary conditions and disease threaten the health of the victims of HurricaneKatrina. Those affected by Katrina need immediate access to medical care. The package thatSenator Grassley and I are announcing today will provide health and income assistance to helpout those who need it, right away.

“The package will waive red tape and provide easier access to Medicaid for HurricaneKatrina victims. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama the federal government will assist thesestates by paying 100 percent of Medicaid and child health care program costs through 2006.Additional payments will be given to the hospitals and providers caring for evacuees.

“A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits will be extended to those who are stillseeking jobs in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and allow victims to access a portion of the

TANF Contingency Fund reserved for financial crises.“I urge my colleagues to act quickly to pass both the tax and health package to reachthose in urgent need of assistance.”