By Angela Hatton / Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's plan to balance the Medicaid budget has cleared the House and is now on its way to the Senate for consideration. The plan calls for shifting $166.5 million that would have been used next fiscal year to cover this year's costs. It also carves out additional savings by contracting with more private firms to provide Medicaid services. Beshear has warned that Medicaid payments to health care providers would have to be slashed by some 30 percent if lawmakers reject his proposal to shuffle funding in the program that pays medical costs for the poor and disabled. The Senate could begin debate on the measure as early as next week.