Post by pavel on Apr 11, 2016 23:40:16 GMT -6
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas House leaders say a host of state programs including public schools, prisons and colleges would face cuts if lawmakers don't fund the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion.
Arkansas House Speaker Jeremy Gillam on Monday released an alternate budget detailing the cuts needed if legislation funding the expanded coverage isn't approved. The Legislature last week approved Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to keep and rework the expansion, which uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for the poor.
In a statement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the alternative budget would require a $10.9 million cut in funding to the state's foster care system. He said that decrease would result in the elimination of 255 employees, including 168 caseworkers.
“The consequences of this cut alone is devastating and will directly impact the resources available for our foster families, our social workers and nearly 5,000 children in our state’s foster care system," Hutchinson said. "Adequate funding and handling of our state’s foster care community is an important initiative of my administration. To further cut funding for [the Division of Children and Family Services] is a disservice to the foster care community and to the children who so desperately need our help.”
Read more: www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/apr/11/arkansas-house-leaders-detail-cuts-if-medicaid-pla/?latest
Arkansas House Speaker Jeremy Gillam on Monday released an alternate budget detailing the cuts needed if legislation funding the expanded coverage isn't approved. The Legislature last week approved Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to keep and rework the expansion, which uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for the poor.
In a statement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the alternative budget would require a $10.9 million cut in funding to the state's foster care system. He said that decrease would result in the elimination of 255 employees, including 168 caseworkers.
“The consequences of this cut alone is devastating and will directly impact the resources available for our foster families, our social workers and nearly 5,000 children in our state’s foster care system," Hutchinson said. "Adequate funding and handling of our state’s foster care community is an important initiative of my administration. To further cut funding for [the Division of Children and Family Services] is a disservice to the foster care community and to the children who so desperately need our help.”
Read more: www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/apr/11/arkansas-house-leaders-detail-cuts-if-medicaid-pla/?latest