The National Governors Association released the following statement today regarding implementation of seven of the Medicaid regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

“As Congress continues to consider provisions of a supplemental spending measure, the nation’s governors wish to reemphasize their strong support to delay implementation of seven Medicaid regulations that represent a shift of billions of dollars in federal costs to states. According to states’ own estimates, the impact of these regulations could reach up to four times the Administration’s original five year $13 billion estimate.

“Each of these regulations was issued without thoughtful dialogue between the state and federal partners. The regulations do not offer the clear guidance states need to comply, nor do they reflect the many unique aspects of individual state programs. 

“Governors maintain that the issues raised by all of these regulations deserve more thoughtful, detailed and collaborative discussions to best serve their citizens. Congress must have sufficient time to act appropriately on them – more time than is left in this year’s congressional calendar.

“Governors call on Congress to build upon earlier efforts and act quickly to ensure that moratoriums on all seven of the proposed Medicaid regulations can be signed into law.