government
Kentucky governor announces plan to control Medicaid spending
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 29, 2010
In an attempt to close a $100 million Medicaid budget deficit, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will use ideas that have helped other states reduce costs. Medicaid managed care plans, a long-term care coordination program for institutional and community-based care and incentive programs for primary and specialist physicians are among the places he will look for savings, according to a Nov. 15 announcement.
Beshear will ask the Kentucky Legislature to move $139 million from the fiscal 2012 Medicaid budget to fiscal 2011 to allow time to implement the Medicaid program changes, his spokeswoman, Kerri Richardson, said. The state already lowered Medicaid spending by $166.7 million for the 2011-2012 budget cycle without reducing Medicaid fees or benefits, Beshear said.
"Kentucky isn't to that point yet, and with this plan we are unveiling today, we hope to avoid measures such as these," he said.
Nearly 816,000 people are enrolled in Kentucky's Medicaid program. Enrollment has been growing by about 3,000 members a month, Beshear said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/11/29/gvbf1129.htm.
