In the ongoing tense budget negotiations, yesterday the
administration offered yet
another
budget proposal in response to the
legislature’s
latest version. However the Governor and legislature are still
reportedly
over $100 million apart. The new proposal
retains
the Governor’s plan to cut 8,700 more HUSKY parents from coverage. In a
classic case of misdirection, that cut is labeled “Transition coverage to
Health Insurance Exchange.” Only about a quarter of slightly higher income
working parents cut off last year were able to afford coverage in the exchange
and are likely uninsured now. Worse yet, another 17,688 working parents are
scheduled to lose coverage this summer based on last year’s cuts.
In the new proposal the Governor restored some hospital cuts
from his last version but expanded cuts to behavioral health services for children.
Proposed cuts to children’s dental care, community health centers and the
Medicaid ASO remain. The Governor does not include the legislature’s proposed
$26 million in Medicaid savings. Advocates can help achieve that goal with
smart savings. The legislative session is scheduled to end tomorrow.
