Robin Carnahan: “the attacks against America have unified our nation. There is a new spirit of bipartisanship, of civility, and of common…”

“the attacks against America have unified our nation. There is a new spirit of bipartisanship, of civility, and of common purpose. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are working together with the President to expedite legislation important to our efforts at home and abroad. Contentious issues have been set aside, in order to focus on the issues that unite us. Thus, it is with disappointment that I feel compelled to come to the Senate floor today to discuss a dispute between the State of Missouri and the Health Care Financing Agency (HCFA) now known as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. The details of the dispute are complex, but the consequences are enormous. At stake is the health of Missouri's children, seniors, and other vulnerable citizens. The subject of this dispute is Missouri's provider assessment program, which is a tax on hospitals. States use the money generated from these taxes as their 'match' for federal Medicaid dollars.”