Post by Logan on Jun 22, 2016 4:13:49 GMT -6
CHEYENNE — At the beginning of June, Wyoming Medical Center laid off 58 employees and eliminated another 57 vacant positions. The cuts were necessary to remain viable over the long term, administrators said, in part because the Legislature refuses to accept millions of federal dollars to expand the Medicaid program.
On Tuesday, Gov. Matt Mead, in discussing $86.2 million in reductions to Wyoming Medicaid, warned that other health care facilities could suffer a similar fate.
“I think with these cuts, I think that’s what you’ll see in other areas of the state,” Mead said. “The hospitals will be able to maintain their standard level of care, but they won’t be able to do so for as many people.”
Money for Wyoming Medicaid is evenly split between the state and federal government. To cut $248 million from the state budget, Mead is proposing reducing the state’s contribution to Medicare by $56.3 million over the next two years. Normally, the federal portion would decrease by an equal amount, but with some shifting of Medicaid money at the Health Department, the cut in federal funds will likely be $29.9 million. That’s a nearly $90 million reduction in Medicaid, or 6 percent.
Read more: trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/looming-cuts-prompt-concern-over-wyoming-hospitals/article_8837c46b-f38e-556f-970b-2cb3111547d4.html
On Tuesday, Gov. Matt Mead, in discussing $86.2 million in reductions to Wyoming Medicaid, warned that other health care facilities could suffer a similar fate.
“I think with these cuts, I think that’s what you’ll see in other areas of the state,” Mead said. “The hospitals will be able to maintain their standard level of care, but they won’t be able to do so for as many people.”
Money for Wyoming Medicaid is evenly split between the state and federal government. To cut $248 million from the state budget, Mead is proposing reducing the state’s contribution to Medicare by $56.3 million over the next two years. Normally, the federal portion would decrease by an equal amount, but with some shifting of Medicaid money at the Health Department, the cut in federal funds will likely be $29.9 million. That’s a nearly $90 million reduction in Medicaid, or 6 percent.
Read more: trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/looming-cuts-prompt-concern-over-wyoming-hospitals/article_8837c46b-f38e-556f-970b-2cb3111547d4.html