Nevada Medicaid funding restored in jobs bill

CARSON CITY, Nev.

Officials say a jobs bills signed by President Obama will mean about $162 million for Nevada schools and its Medicaid program.

Obama signed the bill Tuesday, shortly after the House of Representatives passed it along largely party lines.

Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid and Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus hailed the measure. They say it will protect 1,400 education jobs and provide matching dollars for the state's Medicaid program that serves Nevada's neediest residents.

Republican Sen. John Ensign and Rep. Dean Heller opposed the bill, saying it amounts to big government won't create private sector jobs or spur the economy.

About $83 million is expected for education and $79 million for Medicaid.

Nevada, like many other states, had already included the federal Medicaid funds in their budgets.