Senate’s Thune Says No Medicaid Changes in DHS Funding Bill

Senate Republicans aren’t planning to include Medicare and Medicaid changes in the next partisan spending package—instead focusing it largely on ending the partial government shutdown.

Top Republicans plan to use a bill that advances through the simple-majority budget reconciliation process to fund immigration enforcement and US Border Patrol and would not require Democrats’ support.

Though some Republicans have been pushing for including Medicare and Medicaid policies in the package, the narrow focus does not leave room for other priorities, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Monday. He said budget instructions will not be sent to the Senate Finance Committee. ...