Michigan, Wisconsin, Louisiana and Maine Face Steep Budget Cuts

Michigan Governor Granholm has ordered a 4% across-the-board spending cut as part of $302 million in budget cuts. Granholm’s plan included $16 million dollars in cuts to Medicaid that have drawn criticism from residents who say the cuts will harm the 1.7 million Michiganders who rely on Medicaid.

In Wisconsin the budget deficit has grown to a historic high of $6.5 billion over three years and Governor Doyle is working on his third budget realignment in five months.

Louisiana’s state health agency issued emergency rules on May 1st cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates by 7%. The state Legislature is deliberating Governor Jindal’s budget proposal which would include $445 million in proposed cuts to human services.

In Maine, Governor Baldacci is proposing to cut more than $35 million from health and human services programs to close a $570 million budget gap.