Senate subcommittee approves DCH budget cuts

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – State Senate Republicans are planning to vote Wednesday on a four percent Medicaid budget cut for the coming fiscal year.

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The Senate Appropriations committee will discuss the cuts in an effort to plug holes in the state budget. The Medicaid cut would be in addition to a four percent cut made already this year.

Regulations on the use of federal stimulus money prevent the state from cutting people from the Medicaid program. State Senator Roger Kahn says that means the Legislature must roll back funding for doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers. Kahn chairs the healthcare budget subcommittee.