Gov. Beshear has called a special legislative session, to begin Monday, to deal with problems in the Medicaid budget. He said at a news conference that he would ask lawmakers to fix a problem that “will cause at least 30 percent rate cuts to Medicaid providers such as hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, pharmacists and mental health care providers.”
He also said Senate President David Williams, a candidate for governor who opposed the governor’s Medicaid plan during this year’s regular legislative session, which will conclude later Wednesday, was “putting petty politics and his personal ambition before the needs of Kentucky families.” There was no immediate response from Williams.
The Senate convened late Wednesday morning, using the 30th and final day of the 2011 General Assembly. The House adjourned Tuesday night until March 21 — a day it can no longer use in view of the Senate’s decision to meet. The Senate’s action meant lawmakers will be unable to complete work during the regular session on the Medicaid budget legislation.
Disagreement over filling a shortfall in this year's Medicaid budget has dominated the final days of the session.
Courtesy Courier-Journal.