South Carolina Likely to Cut Medicaid Budget By $60 Million

South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services will likely cut $60 million from the state Medicaid budget, the Columbia State reports. The HHS cuts are expected to include a $2 reduction in pharmacists' filling fees to $2.05 per prescription, a reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes and a reduction in primary care reimbursement rates to 65% of customary costs. State HHS Director Bill Prince said he "despises" the cuts, but noted that the "best way to cut the budget" is to reduce the "largest line items" -- pharmaceuticals and nursing home care. The proposed cuts come in response to an anticipated 4% across-the-board budget cut for all state programs, expected to be announced by the state Budget and Control Board next week (Bauerlein, Columbia State, 10/25). For further information on state health policy in South Carolina, visit State Health Facts Online.