General Fund Budget Could Spell Cuts for Medicaid Services

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A Senate committee has approved a lean general fund budget that could spell deep cuts for Medicaid services.

The Senate General Fund Finance and Taxation Committee approved the $1.8 billion budget that includes no additional money for Medicaid. Committee chairman Trip Pittman says the budget reflects the harsh reality of the state’s fiscal situation.

The Senate could vote on the budget as soon as Thursday.

The committee-passed budget gives level funding to Medicaid which would not be enough to maintain existing services. Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar said that would have a “crippling” effect. She said Medicaid would have to cut non-mandated services, such as outpatient dialysis.

Pittman described the committee-approved spending bill as a conversation-starter as lawmakers begin work on the 2017 budget.

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