Forty-four Democratic senators today urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include an extension of federal Medicaid assistance to states in legislative proposals to increase employment and rebuild the nation's economy. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increased Medicaid's Federal Medical Assistance Percentage through 2010 for states that maintain their Medicaid eligibility standards. In a letter to Reid, the senators said, "We urge you to include a six-month extension of the FMAP provision in upcoming legislation to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits. This short-term extension will help states as they continue to grapple with this recession and protect against state budget actions in 2010 that would further weaken the economy and result in significant job losses." Earlier this week, the nation's governors also urged congressional leaders to extend the FMAP increase.