100% Medicaid funding continues

The House passed a continuing resolution (CR) on Thursday to keep the federal government funded through November 21. It includes an 8-week extension of the 100% FMAP that I added to the disaster supplemental in June, so no local match of federal Medicaid dollars is required for the time being. Importantly, by including this extension in the package of spending decisions needed to keep the government from shutting down, the Democratic House leadership has made clear that Medicaid funding for the Marianas and the other insular areas is an issue that needs resolution now. A bipartisan proposal—$360 million for Marianas Medicaid over the next six years with a generous FMAP—is included in H.R. 2328. That bill is expected to get a House vote when agreement is reached with the Senate.