Press Releases

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                          Contact: Michael J. McQuerry

November 22, 2019                                                                                                                                                                             202-215-8524

PRESS STATEMENT

CONTINUING RESOLUTION BECOMES LAW TO EXTEND MEDICAID FUNDING FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS

Legislation Extends Government Funding, Health Programs Through December 20th

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement today regarding final passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR), H.R. 3055. Due to the inaction of the Senate we have been unable to create a permanent budget. Fortunately,  H.R. 3055 extends 100% federal funding to the Virgin Islands to sustain Medicaid through December 20th, 2019:

“I am pleased that, through the hard work of my office, we were able to reach a short-term agreement to extend our disaster-related 100% federal funding for Medicaid, which was scheduled to expire on November 21st, for another month.

“Without the fix in this bill, the rate of federal funds would plummet nearly fifty percentage points to the previous permanent, capped level of 55%.  This agreement, now law, will ensure that Virgin Islanders will continue to have access to health care coverage while Congress works toward a long-term agreement.

“Our work is not done, and we must work toward a long-term deal to provide Medicaid funding certainty.  I introduced legislation at the beginning of the 116th Congress, H.R. 1354, for equitable, State-like treatment for the Virgin Islands permanently. That is what I will continue to advocate moving forward. 

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