With the help of many of us, the Senate passed legislation last week to delay the seven controversial Medicaid regulations as part of the supplemental war funding bill. [HR 2642].. The amendment adding this delay on the harmful new rules to the bill passed by a vote of 75 to 22, exceeding the two-thirds vote needed to override a threatened Presidential veto.

Don’t forget we were also instrumental in the House’s passage of a stand- alone bill imposing a moratorium on these regulations in late April. Unfortunately, several Republican Senators opposed this stand-alone bill and that’s why efforts are underway to include this legislation in the supplemental war funding bill.

Next, the House will take up the Sensate-passed version of the war funding bill. This is no time to lose our momentum! We must make sure that the delay on the Medicaid regulations remains in the final bill. With the help of all of you, we can protect essential mental health services for low-income children and adults . Please contact your representative and urge him or her to keep the delay on the Medicaid regs in the war funding supplemental bill.