The Senate is expected to vote this Thursday or Friday on a fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation package that includes about $10 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
Last week the Senate Budget Committee approved the bill that would make $39.1 billion in cuts over five years to mandatory programs. The debate period for the package began Monday.
The House also anticipates voting on its package next week. House committees have already completed work on their packages, which total about $50 billion in net savings. The House Energy and Commerce Committee signed off on a proposal that would cut Medicaid spending by about $9.5 billion over five years.
(Published 11-1-05)
