NM agency warns of health care services cuts

Posted at: 10/27/2009 4:48 PM
By: The Associated Press

Doctors may have to cut services to the needy, reports the Human Services Department

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Human Services Department says health care services for the needy will be reduced and agency worker furloughs are possible because of spending cuts approved by the state Legislature.

Lawmakers ordered budget cuts of 7.6 percent for agencies under the control of Gov. Bill Richardson as part of a plan to help plug a $650 million revenue shortfall.

The department says its budget cuts will mean a loss of almost $38 million in state money and $115 million in federal dollars that match state spending.

The agency said Tuesday some cutbacks will be required for health care services offered through Medicaid.

But the director of the Legislative Finance Committee, David Abbey, says it was the intent of the Legislature to shield all Medicaid services from cuts.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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