Feds give states a menu for cutting Medicaid
Answering a fiscal 911 call from the nation's governors, the Obama administration Thursday gave cash-strapped states a menu for cutting Medicaid spending, one of their biggest budget headaches.
AZ lawmakers grapple with transplant coverage cut
Life or death consequences for dozens of Arizonans are butting up against the state's budget woes as legislators debate the elimination last fall of Medicaid coverage for some transplants — even as they consider additional health care cuts.
Ariz. official says decision due on Medicaid cut
Gov. Jan Brewer's request for a federal waiver to suspend Medicaid coverage for 280,000 adults to help balance the state budget should be decided before it is supposed to take effect later this year, a state official said Tuesday.
Ariz. cuts for education, health care face hearing
The state Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday holds a hearing likely to center on controversial funding cuts proposed by Gov. Jan Brewer to help balance the next state budget.
Brewer requests AHCCCS waiver
Gov. Jan Brewer on Tuesday formally requested a waiver from the federal government that would allow Arizona to cut Medicaid eligibility, which is prohibited by the 2010 federal health care law.
Brewer: Hospital tax proposal may not be enough
Gov. Jan Brewer says she's doesn't think a tax proposal reportedly being advanced by the state hospital association would raise enough money to close a budget shortfall that has her and lawmakers pursuing a big cut in Medicaid enrollment.
For those in need, Brewer’s AHCCCS waiver is a kick in the teeth
I don't understand how people who profess to represent me just decide to kick me in the teeth and watch me bleed? Sending a request to the President asking to waive the requirement for States to maintain eligibility for public health benefits is doing just that to me, and others like me.
Budget Plan B may not exist, or it may mean ‘K-12, beware’
Last year, Brewer and the Republican-led Legislature adopted a budget plan that relied on revenues that never materialized. This year, the governor is proposing Medicaid cuts that the federal government may disapprove or worse, state courts may strike down as illegal.
Brewer signs bill, plans to apply for Medicaid waiver Monday
Declaring that her plan to drastically cut funding for health coverage is Arizona’s “only option” to stabilize its budget, Gov. Jan Brewer promptly on Friday signed a bill that gives her the authority to ask the federal government’s permission to implement her proposal.
Capitol Quotes: Jan 21, 2011
“It will be a combination of cost-cutting, just ruthless cost cutting, not only going to the bone but beyond the bone.” — Board of Regents Chairman Anne Mariucci on how the universities will cope with a proposed $170 million budget cut.
Legislature sends AHCCCS waiver bill to Brewer
The House and Senate ended the first special session of 2011 by approving a bill authorizing Gov. Jan Brewer to ask the federal government for permission to drop 280,000 patients from the state’s Medicaid program.
Democrats protest, but House, Senate panels pass waiver request to drop 280,000 from Medicaid
Despite vigorous objections from Democrats, Republican-controlled House and Senate panels gave Jan Brewer the authority to ask for the feds' permission to drastically scale back subsidized medical coverage for Arizonans.