Medicaid cuts bill clears House committee

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation cutting $35 million in Medicaid programs and services in the next fiscal year is headed to the full House for debate. The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 8-2 along party lines Monday to approve a bill that suspends or reduces a variety of programs serving low-income adults and elderly. Supporters say the cuts in programs and the savings are critical to helping lawmakers account for an overall $92 million deficit in the state budget for fiscal year 2012. Rep. John Rusche, one of two Democrats who voted against the bill, said the cuts will put a significant financial pinch on Medicaid service providers, causing layoffs and even agency closures statewide. The bill approved Monday keeps more than $4 million restored last week for treatment of developmentally disabled adults; those were among the most controversial cuts when the package first was unveiled and totaled $39 million in state funds.