CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller praised the Obama administration for eliminating three Medicaid regulations that the Bush administration designed to reduce access to Medicaid benefits helping poorer Americans.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rescinded the three regulations on July 1.

"I fought to make sure these Medicaid regulations were halted, and I'm gratified to see the end result," said Rockefeller, who chairs the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care.

The rules would have eliminated federal payments for administration and transportation costs to help Medicaid officials reach out to students and explain the Medicaid services available to them.

The rules also would have limited outpatient hospital and clinic services available through Medicaid.

The American Association of School Administrators said public schools will save nearly $1 billion by the elimination of these Bush-administration rules.

"Had these regulations been implemented, there would have been significant gaps in coverage for the vulnerable children and families who depend on Medicaid," Rockefeller said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller praised the Obama administration for eliminating three Medicaid regulations that the Bush administration designed to reduce access to Medicaid benefits helping poorer Americans.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rescinded the three regulations on July 1.

"I fought to make sure these Medicaid regulations were halted, and I'm gratified to see the end result," said Rockefeller, who chairs the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care.

The rules would have eliminated federal payments for administration and transportation costs to help Medicaid officials reach out to students and explain the Medicaid services available to them.

The rules also would have limited outpatient hospital and clinic services available through Medicaid.

The American Association of School Administrators said public schools will save nearly $1 billion by the elimination of these Bush-administration rules.

"Had these regulations been implemented, there would have been significant gaps in coverage for the vulnerable children and families who depend on Medicaid," Rockefeller said.