In the latest budget proposal for the next two years, Democrats
in legislative leadership have rejected many of the
Governor’s
most recent cuts. The newest legislative proposal rejects the Governor’s
plan to cut another 8,700 working parents off HUSKY. Because of cuts passed
last year,
17,
688 working parents will lose coverage as of July 31
st. The latest
legislative proposal also reverse 85% of proposed hospital cuts, restores mental
health cuts, and rejected proposals to expand the administration’s authority to
cut the budget without legislative approval. The legislative proposal does cut
payments to Medicaid ASOs that operate the program by 10%, nursing home payments
by $5.25 million, home care payments by over $5 million, and rates for children’s
dental care by 5%. The proposal increases health care premiums and co-pays for
legislative and non-union state workers, expedites transitions under Money
Follows the Person, and allows liquor stores to sell smokeless tobacco
products. Interestingly the budget also calls for $26 million in unspecified
Medicaid savings – we have lots of ideas to achieve that and improve care. The
latest proposal builds off the version that passed the
Appropriations
Committee. That version differed significantly from the
Governor’s
initial proposal in February. Differing versions are driven both by
differing priorities and by declining revenue projections in the last few
months. Negotiations will continue; the legislative session is scheduled to end
next Wednesday.
