S.Amdt. 1354

As folks who want to keep our elected officials accountable, we need to know what our lawmakers are trying to do with our healthcare. This amendment, submitted by Ms. Baldwin, creates a Point of Order Against Legislation That Would Terminate Health Care for Rural Americans Through Cuts to Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

How It Works

• It sets up a rule in the Senate making it out of order to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report that makes changes to Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• This rule applies unless the Congressional Budget Office certifies a couple of specific things.
• The Congressional Budget Office must certify that the changes would not result in lower coverage rates, reduced benefits, or decreased affordability for individuals in rural communities getting coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
• The Congressional Budget Office must also certify that the legislation would not increase the likelihood of the closure of rural hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities serving rural communities.
• This rule can only be waived or suspended in the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
• It also takes an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this rule.