Five percent cut would affect Louisiana Medicaid

New Orleans Times-Picayune, April 18, 2008

Budget-cutting by Louisiana House leaders could lead to reduced access to healthcare services by the poor, elderly and disabled, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals. Cutting the Medicaid rates paid to doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers will reduce access and potentially lead to higher long-term costs as more people seek care through expensive emergency-room visits, according to a letter from the Department to lawmakers.