House budget deal included two years of additional Medicaid funding for U.S. Virgin Islands

Government House said on Dec. 19, 2019, that a budget agreement passed by the U.S. House of Representatives included a provision aimed at preventing a lapse in Medicaid funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to the administration, Section 202 of H.R. 1865 provided additional Medicaid funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. It said the territory was expected to receive about $126 million in each fiscal year and that the federal Medicaid matching rate would increase from 55% to 83%, with the Virgin Islands responsible for the remaining 17%.

The Department of Human Services said the funding would help maintain Medicaid coverage for more than 30,000 residents and support benefits including prescription drugs, dental care, behavioral health services, Medicare Part B premium coverage for eligible beneficiaries, off-island transport for unavailable services, and broader access to physicians.

Government House said the Office of Management and Budget had identified sufficient funds to meet the local match for fiscal year 2020, which it put at $14 million.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-department-of-human-services-say-medical-cliff-will-be-averted-before-christmas/