With Health Care Reform Stalled, the Senate Works to Craft Jobs Bill - February 2, 2010

Congressional leaders and the White House continue to discuss the best options for moving forward with health reform legislation. In the mean time, Congress has refocused its attention on jobs-creation legislation. Following the lead of the House, which passed a "jobs bill" in December, Senate leaders are working to craft and pass a jobs bill—or multiple jobs bills—in the coming weeks. While the exact process has not been decided, Senate leaders are reportedly contemplating passage of two bills—the first focused on targeted tax credits and infrastructure, and the second extending unemployment insurance and COBRA coverage. NAPH is urging the Senate to include the extension of two key provisions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to bolster state Medicaid programs and safety net hospital financing in any moving jobs bill. The first would extend ARRA’s temporary bump in Medicaid FMAP through at least June 30, 2011. The second provision would extend ARRA's temporary bump in state DSH allotments through FY 2011. NAPH is encouraging hospitals to talk to their Senators about these key issues.