HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Dianne Feinstein 7-7-10DIANNE FEINSTEIN
CALIFORNIA
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0504
http://feinstein.senate.gov
July 7, 2010
Bill Connelly, Chair
Butte County Board of Supervisors
25 County Center Dr.
Oroville, California 95965
Dear Chairman Connelly:
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE - CHAIRMAN
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
80AMOFSLIPE MORS
AUG 012 2010
OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Thank you for writing to me in support of extending the Federal Medical Assistance
Percentage (FMAP) increase that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA). I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
I assure you that I support FMAP and will work with my Senate Colleagues to extend the
increase. Since the economic downturn began in 2008, Congress has enacted several measures
dealing with unemployment and health benefits for millions of Americans, including FMAP.
The ARRA (Public Law 111-5), signed into law on February 17, 2009, provided states with an
increase in the federal matching rate for FMAP, the rate at which the federal government
contributes to state spending for Medicaid care for the poor and disabled.
On March 10, 2010, the Senate passed a bill that would have extended the increase in
FMAP through June 30, 2011. However, the House or Representatives modified the bill on May
28, removing this provision. The Senate debated that legislation for four weeks, but despite our
best efforts, we could not garner any Republican support and were unable to pass this needed
legislation. The Senate as a body will now need to consider different approaches that could
potentially get the 60 votes needed to extend these important programs.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please know that I will continue to work to provide
relief for Californians during these difficult economic times. If you have any further questions,
please feel free to contact Nora Connors in my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best
regards.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
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