Max Baucus: “the amendment I have offered makes several changes to the bill reported by the Finance Committee. It deletes the rural…”

“the amendment I have offered makes several changes to the bill reported by the Finance Committee. It deletes the rural development provisions in sections 811 and 815 of the bill. These provisions generated considerable controversy, with some Senators questioning whether they provided economic stimulus. I support the provisions, and I think they are very important to the rural economy, but a similar set of provisions is being developed as part of a farm bill, and I think it is appropriate to defer to that debate at that time. I note that I have not deleted provisions providing agriculture disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers because I think they are critical provisions of the bill. My amendment also incorporates three Medicaid provisions which were filed in the committee but we did not have time to consider. One proposed amendment by Senator Bingaman temporarily increases the caps for States with extremely low disproportionate share hospitals. That is the so-called DSH cap. The second proposed amendment by Senator Lincoln establishes a 6-month moratorium on changes to the Medicare upper payment limit rules. The third proposed amendment by Senator Breaux revises and simplifies the transitional medical assistance program. I also have provisions relating to the taxation of life insurance companies. Senator Kerry proposed a committee amendment addressing section 809 of the code to maintain balance. The amendment I am offering also addresses section 815.”