By McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear's plan for balancing Kentucky's Medicaid budget is getting the cold shoulder from Senate President David Williams. Williams says the plan fails to address ongoing Medicaid deficits and unrealized savings.
"He has had three years to get the cost containment measures under control in the Medicaid budget and he hasn't done that. We just had a cost containment task force that met for several months. His administration did not come forth with any recommendations whatsoever concerning cost containment."
Gov. Beshear wants to move Medicaid funds from the second year of the budget to the first, and then use managed care savings to cover any second year deficit. Ultimately, it will be up to lawmakers to resolve the thorny issue when the 2011 session resumes February 1st.