The House voted 216-210 on March 29 to pass a budget resolution for fiscal year 2008 that, like the Senate version, rejects the White House’s budget proposal to reduce Medicare and Medicaid spending by more than $100 billion over five years. Both the House and Senate resolutions include $50 billion “reserve funds” for the reauthorization and expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that allow committee allocations to be adjusted in a budget-neutral way.
The House resolution also includes a reserve fund for an unspecified amount for “improvements in Medicare.” This means hospitals could be at risk for cuts if lawmakers look to offset new funding for Medicare or SCHIP.
The two resolutions must now be reconciled in conference.
[ via AHA News Now ]
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