State Medicaid Cuts

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Agency cuts Medicaid provider rates

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has approved an additional 3.5 percent cut in the rates it pays to Medicaid providers.

The cut was approved by the authority's board Thursday. Agency officials say the move is required because the authority's budget allocation has been reduced due to a statewide revenue shortfall.

The cut amounts to about $12.1 million in state funding, and more than $32 million when federal matching dollars are added.

Last month, a 3.25 percent budget allocation reduction meant the loss of $20 million for the program. Both cuts go into effect April 1.

In December, the board slashed about $17 million in state funds from the agency's budget for a total reduction of $69.6 million.