DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter today announced a plan that would trim about $320 million and reduce state jobs by about 267 positions in an effort to balance Colorado's budget.
Among the cuts are $18.5 million in savings to the state's Medicaid program, in part through a 1.5 percent reduction in health-care provider rates.
The governor announced his budget-balancing plan to the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee during a presentation at the State Capitol. Most of the cuts will go into effect Sept. 1.
Some of the proposed cuts, including a fee for gun sale background checks, will require legislative approval.
Brian T. Schwartz in Boulder at [8/19/2009 9:51:25 PM]
"... a 1.5 percent reduction in health-care provider rates." I suppose this means insurance premiums will increase to make up for the lower payments to providers. Bloomberg has reported that "Inadequate reimbursements by programs such as Medicare and Medicaid increase the annual cost of covering a family of four by $1,788." See http://www.patientpowernow.org/2008/12/24/medicaid-medicare-cost-shift-premiums/
