Washington governor Chris Gregoire last week proposed cutting at least $664 million from healthcare programs in order to help balance the state's budget.
Gregoire said the cuts are necessary to reduce the state's $2 billion budget deficit.
Among the recommended reductions are:
- Change eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program ($140 million)
- Suspend adult Medicare pharmacy benefits ($127.8 million)
- Eliminate Disability Lifeline medical program ($110 million)
- Eliminate Medically Needy Medicaid program ($61.2 million)
- Eliminate Basic Health Plan ($48.1 million)
- Establish drug formality for Medicaid clients ($37 million)
- Reduce Apple Health for Kids ($34 million)
- Reduce certified public expenditure hospitals ($27.8 million)
- Modify critical access hospitals payment methodology (27.2 million)
- Eliminate maternity support services ($20.9 million)
- Eliminate disproportionate share grants ($13.1 million)
At a press conference announcing the proposed cuts, Gregoire said, "There is no question in my mind we are not going to meet the needs of people out there. When we take away mental health services, we risk the possibility they will end up in the emergency room. The need is out there; there is no question about it. I simply do not have the resources to meet the need today. I will be meeting with the faith community and non-profits to talk about them being able to pick up the slack."
In a statement posted on its website, the Washington State Hospital Association said, "The Governor released her budget roadmap to address the state's deep budget deficit. Healthcare is hit particularly hard and the proposed cuts to healthcare for our most vulnerable residents are staggering… These cuts undermine our healthcare system and will be felt for years to come."