Article archive / December 1, 2015
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 4.
Just about the same time that behavioral health for Medicaid finishes a full transition to integrated care, the state is looking at even more cuts, some which will have to come from public health. State officials are looking at a $370 million shortfall from what they expected, which is the same tune as every year –– deep cuts to health care and higher education are unavoidable, say experts. In a Times–Picayune article by Julia O’Donoghue, administrative officer Stafford Palmieri said, "We're going to solve the problem. Whatever it takes, we're going to solve the problem.”
Louisiana's public colleges and universities typically take on the burden of budget shortfalls, because their funding is not protected by law. There have already been cuts that have fallen on higher education, and this next push will likely track exactly the same places in the state. Higher education and health have been cut every year for almost a decade.
The new in-coming Governor will also have to contend with another $117 deficit remaining from last year’s budget cycle.
According to O’Donoghue, the state's health care budget is also facing a more than $500 million deficit. Some of this comes from lost federal funding, but there are also other issues fueling healthcare’s problems, she wrote.
At the same time, some professionals are concerned about the reimbursement rates in the new healthcare plans. Sources indicate that the Medicaid rates for psychologists for one hour of therapy is less than $80 and for psychological assessment, less than $50. Representatives form Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Beverly Hunter and Pamela Cobb, worked to help clinicians sort out the new systems, meeting with those interested at a recent conference in Baton Rouge.
At the center of the financial woes, many believe, are falling oil prices, but others say the Legislature is also too blame. A run on tax credits seems to have created lower revenues, created by legislators. Some are questioning whether the state will have the cash flow to pay it bills, suggested O’Donoghue.
Ms. Beverly Hunter (L), Network Manager, and Ms. Pamela Cobb (C), MBA, Director of Network Operations for Louisiana Healthcare Connections speak with Dr. Susan Andrews at a recent conference for psychologists in Baton Rouge. Public health has transitioned to new programs amid continuing budget cuts.
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