INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (NETWORK INDIANA): Medicaid in Indiana is projected to be severely underfunded in the coming year.
The latest budget forecast shows that Indiana will not be taking in as many tax dollars are previously thought, which coupled with an unexpected increase in the amount of Hoosiers enrolling and using Medicaid has left the program with a shortfall of nearly $1 billion.
“There is the question of how did this happen,” said State Sen. Ryan Mishler (R). “Just remember, this is a forecast. This is long-term. Currently, we are in great shape. Fortunately, we have a year until the next budget to work on this.”
Cris Johnston, director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, said FSSA had to deal with several factors playing into why the shortfall may have happened. He said the agency had to make decisions based on what amounts to “out of date” financial data due to delays in getting the latest numbers on what the state would take in in revenue.
The biggest thing he said might be playing into the shortfall is the increase in the number of Hoosiers enrolling in Medicaid.
“The spending, on the general fund, just a few years ago, three or four years ago, was about two billion dollars,” Johnston said. “It’s not four billion dollars.”
The big question now is what lawmakers will consider to try and make up that amount of money. Johnston said in a press conference about a hearing at the Statehouse on Tuesday that he anticipates some “tough decisions” will need to be made in the near future.
Democrats believe that may mean cuts to spending.
“There are dollars there that we can backfill those shortfalls, so it can’t be all cuts,” said State Rep. Greg Porter (D) on WISH-TV. “Because I know that’s what they are trying to do, is anticipate and create an atmosphere of having to cut people off the program, as opposed to giving people the services they need as far as healthcare.”
Misher said that one thing is clear this kind of shortfall can’t happen again and that they plan to work out ways to avoid such a large shortfall in the future.
The legislative session kicks off shortly after the 1st of the year in just under two weeks.
1 comment
This is what happens when a weepy Dopey Prince Eric, The Chinless Wonder of Hoosierville thinks he can solve all the medical problems with our money., along with Hoosier RINOs. You stupid fools in Indy have destroyed your reputation for fiscal responsibility. The uni-party has spent the state into oblivion. Just a couple of years ago there were about 200 people 18-20 on Medicaid. Now there are THIRTY THOUSAND. The explosion in the Medicaid roll is nearly ALL younger and healthier ages. The Dopey Prince kept us under a COVID emergency going so he could scarf up our money from the federal coffers.l He spent that money on Medicaid.expansion. Then wonders of wonders, the federal money spout valve closed leaving Hoosiers with an unfunded program.
How could our governor and the legislature BE SO STUPID? Have you all not learned that federal money isn’t free money. It is our money in the first place. Every dollar the feds print to keep the federal eagle dropping money bombs on us steals its worth from the existing dollars you have in your pocket or bank account? Ho could Hoosier Voters be so stupid to trust you fools with our government spending? NEVER AGAIN!