Governor warns of big Medicaid shortfall
Gov. Sonny Perdue is warning lawmakers of a potentially “devastating” shortfall in the state’s health care program for the poor as the recession continues to cause Medicaid rolls to grow.
Perdue sent legislative leaders a letter Thursday on the potential Medicaid shortfall as the House prepared to approve an $18.5 billion budget for the upcoming year that uses federal stimulus money to fill holes in the health care program.
About 1.5 million Georgians now receive health care through Medicaid.
The governor said the House budget proposal avoids cutbacks to health care providers, such as doctors and hospitals, but doesn’t include about $140 million to $150 million needed to pay for projected growth in Medicaid rolls.
“There is no reliable evidence that the economy has hit bottom,” Perdue said. “Consequently, the Department of Community Health is facing increased Medicaid enrollment while the state continues to suffer from declining revenues.
“Put simply, if the Medicaid program is not adequately funded on an annual basis, and thus runs out of money prior to the end of the year, the consequences from a medical, moral and political perspective could be devastating.”
-James Salzer-
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6 comments Add your comment
get real
March 19th, 2009
12:51 pm
Thanks Sonny.. you’re doing a great job. The poor do not have healtcare, but at least you have your lake and your buddies have all the state’s money that you have been giving them in “consulting fees”. Yeah… Thanks too for the unemployment rate.. you should be so proud of yourself.
MedicaidWorker
March 19th, 2009
1:09 pm
I work for one of the Medicaid companies here in GA. If you think we have the budget to make it to April, you’re high. We don’t have the staffing, the technology, the training, or the money to afford this. And our member lists keep growing, thanks Sonny. Can I wash your windshield after we run out of money and we all get let go?
legalady
March 19th, 2009
5:34 pm
I shudder to think what’s going to happen in a few years when all the baby boomers who’ve lost their retirement savings need to go to a nursing home. Medicaid will REALLY be strapped then!
Lou
March 20th, 2009
8:54 am
Again part of the stimulius money was to fund medicaid.Ask purdue what is happening to the money. This is a propaganda from the rep to act like Obama plan wont work,all the while Sonny perdue and his red coats are having a blast trying to figure out whats best for there pockets.
Roy
March 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Doctors in Georgia are dropping Medicaid, because they are not being paid in a timely manner. GA Medicaid has invoices to pay, but they are not paying them.
ET
April 3rd, 2009
12:13 pm
Welcome to socialized medicine. Couple years ago Medicaid was kicking special needs children out of Medicaid, while signing up children of adults who are to cheap to buy health insurance. Hey Georgia – wake up. Maybe you don’t need the flat screen TV, new car, Fancy cell phone and all the bling when you DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR KIDS.
Finally – I am part owner of a allied health practice and as a Medicaid provider I can say. We are the only industry that gets annual pay cuts. We don’t get paid the true cost now. How is another 6% cut going to help “quality health care” in Georgia. IT’S NOT!!!!!. Hey all you in the Gold Dome of Stupidity – WAKE UP!!!!!