Thursday, January 21, 2010
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
ATLANTA -- Facing a massive gap in Medicaid funding, Georgia's top health official on Thursday urged state legislators to adopt a tax hike on hospitals and health care plans.
The state is staring down a $506 million shortfall in Medicaid funds for the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to state Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows.
The recession has caused enrollment in the health program for the needy to soar. Medicaid rolls for low-income residents have jumped 7.7 percent from June 2009 to 2010 to more than 1 million people.
More furloughs could be coming
ATLANTA -- Even more furloughs could be on the way for state employees.
While Gov. Sonny Perdue has said his budget for the next fiscal year doesn't include more unpaid days for state employees, at least one agency head said she may need to again use furloughs to balance her budget.
More like this story
- Ga. faces $300 million-plus Medicaid shortfall ( June 15, 2012 )
- Rainy day fund to balance budget<br/> Perdue vows to lower deficit without federal aid ( January 15, 2009 )
- Health agency wants money increase for patients, providers ( August 24, 2007 )
- Senate panel fast-tracks hospital tax over protest ( January 16, 2013 )
- Education remains leaders' top priority ( January 8, 2010 )
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