(Washington, DC, November 21, 2005) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen announced the passage of an amendment in the recently passed Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, H.R. 4241, which provides a 33% increase in Medicaid funding in Fiscal Year 2006 and an additional increase of 66% in Fiscal Year 2007 to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  The amendment was a joint effort between Delegate Christensen and Delegate Madeleine Bordallo (D), Delegate Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa (D), and Congressman Dan Burton (R) of Indiana. 

The amendment was included in the budget reconciliation measure by Chairman Joe Barton at the request of Delegates Christensen and Bordallo along with Delegate Faleomaevega and Congressman Burton and it is the culmination of an effort to increase the Medicaid cap that began two years ago. 

“I want to thank my fellow Congressional Delegates, in particular Congresswoman Bordallo of Guam for working steadfastly with me over the past couple of years to increase Medicaid funding for the territories,” Christensen said. “Our accomplishment to date, while by no means a done deal would not have occurred without the strong support of the former Chairman of the House Government Affairs Committee, Congressman Dan Burton and the support of the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Joe Barton.”  Christensen said. 

If the increase in funding survives the congressional legislative process, the Virgin Islands would see a $2.5 million increase in Medicaid Funding for FY 2006 and a $5 million increase in FY 2007.  These increases, added to the Medicaid funding we received in FY 05, would become the new floor for our annual Medicaid funding which will then be adjusted for inflation annually. 

“We were very, close to receiving an additional $2 million in Medicaid funding last year, which we lost at the very last minute.  In light of the funding shortfall identified in the recently released GAO report, if the proposed funding holds, it would more than make-up for the disappointment we suffered last year.” Christensen said.