MEDICAID SERVICES MAY BE CUT

Medicaid services to the elderly and persons with disabilities may be cut by the state as a cost-savings measure.

Robin Otten, Deputy Secretary of the Human Services Department, has written to the Governor, identifying all Medicaid programs that are "optional" (i.e. not absolutely required by federal law). The programs, including the Personal Care Option, Disabled and Elderly waiver program, Medicaid buy-in for working disabled adults, and numerous others, add up to $125 million in state spending that brings in around $375 million in additional federal funds.

Otten's November 2 cover letter suggests that she and her staff have examined these programs to evaluate the potential for reducing services or eligibility levels, and concluded that there may be a "significant area of opportunity" to do so because the state offers more than the minimum federal requirements. "(W)e provide very generous benefits under Medicaid right now", her letter states.

State legislators will meet next month to develop a budget for the state in the coming year. A serious budget shortfall is predicted. P&A and other disability and human services advocates have already protested any attempt to balance the budget on the back of low income, elderly and disabled individuals.