WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has joined an effort to prevent the federal government from committing excessive taxpayer money to expand state Medicaid programs by co-sponsoring the “Preventing an Unrealistic Future Medicaid Augmentation Plan (FMAP) Act.”

The bill cosponsored by Wicker, S. 963, allows states to expand their Medicaid program but repeals the provision in the “Affordable Care Act” obligating already scarce federal taxpayer dollars from being used for the expansion.

“For far too long, Washington has overpromised and underperformed,” Wicker said. “Our nation’s debt is nearing $17 trillion, and we continue to borrow more than 40 cents for every dollar we spend. Although I am committed to repealing Obamacare in its entirety, this bill focuses on the fact that the federal government simply does not have the resources to fulfill the promises contained in the health-care law.”

“Many Mississippians depend on Medicaid for their medical care. Unfortunately, the expansion of the program under Obamacare is unsustainable and could ultimately lead to the program’s demise. Throwing money at a broken system does nothing to fix the real problems facing Medicaid recipients. Congress should take steps to provide real reform of Medicaid for people who rely on it for their care.”

“This legislation would provide a more realistic rate at which the federal government could fund Medicaid expansion in participating states, while providing an accurate understanding of the federal government’s true ability to meet or break promises in Obamacare. The irresponsible spending in Washington must stop, and it is time for a national conversation about our priorities and actual ability to fund entitlement programs.”

The bill is sponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

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