October 30, 2015 DHH Identifies Internal Solutions for Mid-Year Deficit to Ensure Access to Care for Louisiana ResidentsInternal solutions address $186.1 million shortfall while ensuring access to care and peventing provider rate cuts

- The Louisiana Department of Health (DHH) today announced solutions to address a $186.1 million state general fund mid-year deficit. The internal solutions identified by LDH prevent provider rate cuts, program eliminations and ensure access to care for thousands of Louisiana residents.

"Our first priority is always ensuring access to care for Louisiana residents enrolled in Medicaid, those served by waivers and others served by our various public health programs across the state," said LDH Secretary Kathy Kliebert. "By identifying internal solutions to address our mid-year deficit, we ensure access to care without passing the burden on to providers or hospitals and without additional funding from the State."

At the end of each fiscal quarter, LDH evaluates program costs to determine if it has the needed level of funding for the remainder of the year. If a deficit is identified, LDH looks for additional funding and at program changes that will fix the shortfall. This fiscal year, the deficit is $186.1 million in state general fund dollars; including federal match, the total deficit is $516.1 million. The LDH Medicaid shortfall is the result of:

LDH is solving the Medicaid shortfall using several internal solutions, including:

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's Twitter account and Facebook.

 

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Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Interim Secretary Drew Maranto

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