Arlen Specter: “this is an amendment related to disproportionate share. Some States have been hit very hard because some of the funds…”

“this is an amendment related to disproportionate share. Some States have been hit very hard because some of the funds have been used for mental health facilities. There has already been substantial improvement; illustratively, for Pennsylvania, which had been on the books to sustain a loss of $1.7 billion, it is down to $750 million. And the managers are now considering an amendment which would improve that situation materially. So I agree with my distinguished colleague from New Mexico to set it aside temporarily with the hope we may be able to work it out, and ultimately have it withdrawn if a satisfactory resolution can be arrived at.”