More Bush Medicaid Rules Rescinded, Delayed

On May 1, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rescinding three of the Bush administration’s controversial Medicaid rules, and delaying enforcement of a fourth.  These rules limited crucial nursing and other services to Medicaid patients, and the ANA joined many other health care organizations in objecting to their implementation.  The rescission proposal applies to the “School-Based Services” rule which cut reimbursement for school-based administrative and transportation services; the “Outpatient Services Definition” rule which redefined hospital outpatient services; and the “Case Management Services” rule which devalued case management services.  CMS proposed a one-year enforcement delay for the Medicaid rule limiting federal matching funds for certain state health care-related taxes.  The rescission and delay proposals appear in the May 6, 2009 Federal Register, and are subject to a brief public comment period (ending June 1).  After consideration of the comments, CMS can issue final rules to formalize these decisions.

Eileen Shannon Carlson, RN, JD