The $18.6 billion budget includes $1.4 billion of federal stimulus funds that will be used to help prevent cuts in payments made to doctors, hospitals and other providers, according to the report.
Some lawmakers say that the current budget does not account for the shortfall in Medicaid, which currently covers 1.5 million poor and disabled Georgians. The Department of Community Health predicts a 9 percent increase in Medicaid enrollment next year. According to Gov. Perdue, the budget will need an additional $140 to $150 million to cover this growth, which would be funded by spending cuts.
Read the Journal-Constitution’s report on concerns over Georgia’s healthcare system.
