Obama: $15B from stimulus going to Medicaid plan

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama told the nation's governors the administration is quickly releasing $15 billion from the stimulus package to help them cover soaring Medicaid costs.

The recession has had a huge impact on state budgets, and one area public officials are struggling with is in meeting costs in the Medicaid program for the poor. The program is underwritten jointly by states and the federal government.

Obama spoke Monday at at the conclusion of a conference of the National Governors Association, telling state chief executives the Medicaid money would be released on Wednesday.