LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers are to take a look at the shortfall expected in the state’s Medicaid program as they prepare for next year’s legislative session.
State Department of Human Services officials are to appear before the Joint Budget Committee Tuesday to detail the department’s budget request for next year. The panel is expected to focus much of its attention on the Medicaid shortfall.
DHS projects that the program will face a $358 million shortfall for the budget year that begins July 1, 2013. DHS says it expects to have a revised number at Tuesday’s hearing.
The hearing comes a week after Republicans won control of the state Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. GOP leaders say they want to address the shortfall before considering a proposal to expand Medicaid’s eligibility.
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