Fla. Squeezes Medicaid Spending; Colo. Dispute Threatens Budget

Medicaid spending is a key part of budget deliberations in Florida and Colorado.

Kaiser Health News: Florida Puts Squeeze On Medicaid Outlays
Republican Gov. Rick Scott this week proposed to slash Florida's spending in the joint state-federal health insurance program for the poor by $2 billion, in part to add $1 billion to education in the next fiscal year (Hatter, 12/9).

Denver Post: Medicaid, Seniors' Tax Break Loom Over Colorado's Next Budget
Medicaid eligibility expansions under prior Democratic legislatures coupled with a devastating economy and new federal requirements have resulted in a 72 percent increase in Medicaid enrollment, or an additional 281,000 people, since 2007. Almost 82 percent of the additional $227.1 million general fund spending in Hickenlooper's proposed 2012-13 budget would go toward rising Medicaid costs. ... Under Hickenlooper, the state is attempting to save $31 million in spending on Medicaid and the CHP+ health insurance program for children (Hoover, 12/11).