Action of a decisive House of Representatives, led by Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich), to hold off Medicaid cuts, has received considerable local support. President Bush has threatened to veto this bill (it must first move through the Senate), citing a savings of $13 billion over five years. The one-year moratorium is estimated to cost about $1.6 billion. An analysis of the economics, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, is available in a pdf file.

The vote had overwhelming support, and 128 Republicans crossed party lines for the final vote of 349 to 62 (20 not voting). The greatest opposition came from Republican representatives from Texas (10), Georgia (6) Florida (5).

A selection of responses nationwide includes:
California’s hospitals threatened, governor asks Bush to reconsider veto, Mercury News.

Calls on congress to support moratorium from the Bangor News.

Florida's Connie Mack (R-Fla) changes mind to oppose moratorium, News-Press.

North Carolina embraces Dingell, moratorium, Ashville Citizen-Times.

Bush veto threatens Illinois jobs, The News-Gazette.

To track this through the House of Representatives, click here.