Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
March is Women's History Month!

Ala medicaid director warns about cutbacks

By Medicaid official says funding crisis will result in cutbacks

Montgomery, AL – - Alabama's Medicaid director is weighing
cost-cutting measures as the agency braces for budget difficulties.
Carol Steckel told legislators the agency will need to
nearly double the amount it gets from the General Fund because
federal stimulus funds will drop sharply in the next fiscal year.
But the General Fund is already pressed due to sluggish tax
revenues.
Steckel proposed several cost-cutting measures, including
limiting adult Medicaid patients to five prescriptions a month, of
which no more than two could be brand name drugs. Currently they
can get five brand name and unlimited generic drugs.
Senate budget leaders said they want to make sure people aren't
taken off medications that are working for them.