The state will send out letters tomorrow to 37-thousand elderly and disabled people, warning them the Medicaid programs which pay for their care could be eliminated on July 1st. It’s possible legislators will approve funding to avoid the cut, but Louisiana Health Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee didn’t want to take that chance
The state has a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year and the House approved a budget that reduces funding for several health care services.
Some legislators say the letters are going out too soon and the funding problems can be fixed before July 1st. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says impacted patients need to consider their options…
37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” Many Republicans are balking at the release of those letters, saying they amount to a political stunt. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, who voted for the House spending plan that included the Medicaid cuts, says the panic isn’t justified because the process isn’t over.
Metairie Senator Danny Martiny tried to douse some of the growing fires by letting the 37,000 letter recipients know that the Senate has no intention of passing a budget that cuts their programs.
Gov Edwards says he’ll be holding a press conference Thursday to address the House budget’s appending cuts.