Congress passes moratorium on implementing proposed rules related to Medicaid rehabilitative services and school-based services
Prior to adjourning for the year, Congress enacted a moratorium on implementing Medicaid rules that would limit reimbursement to states for rehabilitative and school-based services. The six-month moratorium, which would delay the effective date to June 30, 2008, was included in Senate Bill 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. The rules, if implemented as proposed, would limit or eliminate certain rehabilitative services needed by adults and children with disabilities.
OLRS previously submitted comments in response to the proposed Medicaid rehabilitation rule (see OLRS Comments for the Notice of Proposed Rule, Medicaid Coverage: Coverage for Rehabilitative Services - PDF file). In its comments, OLRS stated that, "Rehabilitation services under Medicaid are a critical support for individuals with disabilities. They are an important component of services that Medicaid eligible children may need to "correct or ameliorate" a physical or mental illness or condition. These regulations will have a negative impact on persons with disabilities, because the regulations significantly restrict the service and the state's flexibility to meet the needs of its citizens with disabilities."
To read a summary of the bill as passed, see Summary of Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (PDF file) from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Web site.
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Article posted December 26, 2007
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