Sen. John McCain filed three amendments that deal with Medicaid to the Senate health care proposal.
Medicaid is a state-run program partially financed by the federal government to help low-income residents get health services. In Arizona, the program is known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS.
McCain’s first amendment would extend the phasing out of Medicaid to 10 years. The proposal would give Arizona and other states time to absorb the financial hit associated with the loss of federal dollars for the program.
He also wants to ensure the growth rate for Medicaid is adjusted for inflation, a move that will keep states from being punished if they are able to reduce costs for the program.
McCain’s final amendment would repeal a provision that would cut funding to states that expanded Medicaid before the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Arizona is one of those states.
On the Senate floor, McCain said he would not vote for the health care bill until a number of provisions supported by Gov. Doug Ducey were passed. His amendments reflect those ideas.
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