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AAMC Applauds Congress for Extending Medicaid Moratorium

For Immediate Release

News Release

Contact: Nicole Buckley
202-828-0041
nbuckley@aamc.org

Washington, D.C. June 27, 2008—AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., issued the following statement today, on the Senate's passage of the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act:

"We congratulate Congress and the Bush administration for reaching an agreement on the Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2008 and urge the president to sign this legislation as soon as it reaches his desk.

By prohibiting any regulatory action to eliminate $1.78 billion in Medicaid funding for graduate medical education until April 1, 2009, this bipartisan agreement maintains the vital funding teaching hospitals need to support the training of new physicians. The legislation also places the same moratorium on any regulatory efforts to cut $3.87 billion in Medicaid funding for safety net providers, such as the nation's teaching hospitals and physicians, who provide health care to all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay.

In addition, the bill provides $400 million in critically needed funding for science agencies, including $150 million for the life-saving research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We are gratified that Congress and the administration have recognized the crucial role that scientific research plays in our efforts to address some of most pressing challenges facing this nation, from health to the environment."

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.