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Updated: U.S. Senate approves Medicaid stimulus extension

Posted Mar 10, 2010 by Catherine Whittenburg, Tallahassee bureau

Updated Mar 10, 2010 at 03:51 PM

The U.S. Senate has just voted 62-36 for a bill that would extend emergency stimulus funding for state Medicaid programs through June 2011.

The enhanced Medicaid funding is a key budget issue for Florida, which stands to receive more than $1 billion in additional federal funds if Congress and President Barack Obama approve it. Without the relief measure, stimulus funding for Medicaid runs out in December 2010—six months shy of the end of the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Florida’s budget shortfall in 2010-2011 could exceed $3 billion if the federal aid fails to come though.

The U.S. House has already passed companion legislation. Today’s Senate vote clears the way for the two chambers to reconcile their bills and send a final package to the President.