Alabama Medicaid facing ‘major cuts’ if Sept.18 referendum is not passed

With a September 18 state wide referendum coming up, and little voter education has been provided. The state is facing cutting medical care and services to thousands if the Referendum is not passed by voters.  

State Health Officer Don Williamson said the state's Medicaid program will be an "uncontrolled train wreck" if voters reject a Sept. 18 referendum to take money from a state savings account and use it to prop up the state's ailing General Fund.

"If the constitutional amendment fails we are looking at a $100 million shortfall minimum," Williamson said in a presentation to the Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Policy.

Williamson said he has doubts on the state's ability to operate a Medicaid program that meets federal standards if that much money is cut from the budget.

Voters go to the polls Sept. 18 on a proposal to transfer money from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund.

One place the state theoretically could look to try to save money would be to cut reimbursement rates to hospitals and nursing homes, Williamson said. 

But he said that could have significant consequences for provide who care for large numbers of Medicaid patients. 

"You will close small rural hospitals. You will cause some nursing homes to close," Williamson said. 

One committee member said Alabama will continue to be in a cycle of fiscal crisis unless the state looks for new revenue. 

"We've got to face reality. We need new revenue," said Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile.

"At what point do we realize we have to look at tax reform in the state of Alabama?" Figures said.

I wonder why this Republican controlled legislature approved a statewide referendum at the tax payers expense in the middle of two elections in this state. This is simple causing confusion and discouraging voters to get out to vote.

Why?, because voters will go to the polls on August 28^th, to cast ballots for mayor and council members in many cities and towns across the state, and then turn around and have to vote on September 18^th. That’s not even 30 days apart. Soon after all that, voters will have to return to the polls in November for the general election.

This is discouraging many voters from participating; many voters will say it just to must. I believe the republicans did this on purpose. I believe they knew what the outcome would be, because they indeed wanted this measure to fail.