Alabama House Slices Medicaid Money
MONTGOMERY, Ala (AP) – The Alabama House has approved a large funding cut to Medicaid as lawmakers try to fix a budget shortfall.
Legislators approved the reduction on a second try Wednesday. The first vote failed.
House Ways And Means General Fund Committee Chairman Steve Clouse proposed the controversial budget as House leaders try to wrangle votes for a budget solution.
Clouse says he understands the importance of funding Medicaid but needs help to do it. A cigarette tax failed in committee Tuesday.
Rep. Pebblin Warren says the reductions could be life-threatening for Alabamians on Medicaid.
House members voted 46-44 for the budget amendment to give Medicaid a $156 million reduction. The budget now moves to the Alabama Senate.
Lawmakers have been unable to agree how to fill a shortfall in the general fund.
Leave a Reply