State's Medicaid Deficit May Not Be as Bad as Once Thought
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 17, 2013
Good news for Arkansas' Medicaid program.
Lawmakers expected the program to have a $140 million deficit going into the legislative session, but it could be far less than that.
The Department of Human Services says growth has slowed to a 25-year low, saving the program millions of dollars.
A spokesperson says they're still crunching the numbers, but some say the deficit could drop to the $80-100 million range.
That was enough to put a smile on the face of House Speaker Davy Carter.
"It was good news. That makes the budget problem 60 million dollars easier. It's good news," he said.
The Department of Human Services says they will have a revised deficit estimate by late next week.
Lawmakers expected the program to have a $140 million deficit going into the legislative session, but it could be far less than that.
The Department of Human Services says growth has slowed to a 25-year low, saving the program millions of dollars.
A spokesperson says they're still crunching the numbers, but some say the deficit could drop to the $80-100 million range.
That was enough to put a smile on the face of House Speaker Davy Carter.
"It was good news. That makes the budget problem 60 million dollars easier. It's good news," he said.
The Department of Human Services says they will have a revised deficit estimate by late next week.
