$466 million in cuts could be coming to WI medical assistance programs

The budget Governor Walker intends to sign this Sunday also makes deep cuts to BadgerCare Plus and other parts of Medicaid.

Posted: 6:14 PM Jun 23, 2011
Reporter: Amelia Cerling
Email Address: Amelia.Cerling@weau.com

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http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/466_million_in_cuts_could_be_coming_to_WI_medical_assistance_programs_124457634.html?ref=634
The budget Governor Walker intends to sign this Sunday also makes deep cuts to BadgerCare Plus and other parts of Medicaid.
Lawmakers gave Governor Walker more power to make these cuts without public hearings.
City County Health Director Richard Thoune says the $466 million in potential cuts will have a huge impact on both seniors and low income families.
Helen Knight is on BadgerCare and told us she worked for 50 years before retiring. The future of her health care dollars could lie in the hands of Governor Walker, and that’s making her concerned.
“Yes it is very scary. I think we work very hard, we have a lot to offer the community and if you take that away from us, that takes away what we have to offer,” Knight says.
And that's what several other senior citizens felt, concern over their future and their place in it.
“Because if people aren't healthy they can't work, and if they can't work they can't contribute to society,” senior and AARP volunteer advocate Lani Madis says.
Eau Claire City County Health Director Richard Thoune says the cuts are going to hurt the people who need health care the most.
“I think just in general we're disappointed to see these cuts occur in this state budget that's going to affect so many people that already have difficulty accessing basic services that help keep them healthy and well,” Thoune tells us.
But Republican Senator Terry Moulton disputes the cuts saying the budget, as he is aware of it, did not include any cuts to Medicaid or BadgerCare.
“The information I’ve received is we did not cut BadgerCare, we did authorize DHS to review some things, but restored BadgerCare and Medicaid as far as I’m aware in the budget,” Moulton says.
Thoune says if these cuts go through, local people will struggle to find a way to get the health care they need.