By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – Officials cut nearly $17M from Medicaid
TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Medicaid program in Oklahoma is being cut by nearly $17 million dollars because of the state's budget shortfall.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority board voted unanimously Thursday to make the cuts in services. The board did not reduce payments to providers such as hospitals, doctors and nursing homes.
CEO Mike Fogarty said though, that legislators have indicated more budget cuts are likely and if that happens the providers will likely face a 1 percent cut in medicaid payments.
The cuts in services include such things as prescription co-payment increases and a cap on outpatient mental health services.
Gov. Brad Henry and the state Legislature have ordered state agencies to reduce the remainder of the year's budget by 5 percent.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com