South Carolina Gov. Sanford Asks Legislature To Preserve Health Care, Education Funding

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 15 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) on Tuesday said the state Legislature needs to target its budget cuts instead of instituting a 3% across-the-board cut of $188 million, which a state budget panel approved last month, the Columbia State reports. Sanford has suggested that the lawmakers prioritize health care and education funding, which comprises 70% of the state's budget, according to state House Ways and Means Committee Chair Dan Cooper (R). Cooper said, "We dealt with budget cuts at the Budget and Control Board meeting," adding, "If we exempt those two areas, then what agencies would be the ones shut down?"

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, state Department of Health and Human Services Director Emma Forkner said that cuts to Medicaid would reduce matching federal money by $95 million. She added that the cuts would eliminate planned nursing home care, reduce hospice services and reduce the number of doses in a monthly prescription from 34 to 31. According to Forkner, additional cuts would lead to reduced Medicaid benefits or limits on the number of new beneficiaries.

Sanford wants the adjourned Legislature to return to discuss the budget, but lawmakers are unable to return until state revenues are cut by 4%, according to an adjournment resolution (O'Connor, Columbia State, 9/10).

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