Medicaid cuts expected in Rendell's budget proposal

[Township75]

Medicaid cuts expected in Rendell's budget proposal
Stem from $400 million shortfall
Sunday, February 06, 2005

By Bill Toland, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau



HARRISBURG -- For decades, Pennsylvania's neediest residents have been driving the Cadillac of Medicaid systems.

Soon they may have to trade down to something in the midsize range, in order to bring the state budget into line.

Thanks to rising health care costs, ever-expanding enrollment and disappearing federal aid, the projected shortfall in next year's Medicaid budget at one point was $1.6 billion. The state's accountants have made progress toward reducing that shortfall, but as of last month, there was still a $400 million gap, which is why Medicaid benefits will be among the items nipped and tucked in Gov. Ed Rendell's upcoming budget proposal.

The annual budget address is scheduled for Wednesday. The current budget, approved in July, was nearly $23 billion, and it's expected that the 2005-06 budget will exceed $24 billion.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05037/453058.stm

If Ed needs to make cuts, why does it have to be here? I realize there is an enourmous short fall in the budget, but protecting Medicaid is a centerpiece of the Dem platform.

[meow2u3]

1. Rendell is a DLC DINO

That's how come he's cutting Medicaid funding. He's too busy cutting deals with Repunks to pay attention to his own party.

Why the hell doesn't he soak the rich? That's what real Dems do!

[Machiavelli05]

2. blame the DLC!!!

Theyre all evil.