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Lawmakers say Medicaid will require tougher spending choices despite budget proposal
Summary
Speakers warned that the budget as recommended does not automatically provide large, one‑year increases for Medicaid and said the program will need spending controls and prioritization going into the session.
During remarks on the FY2027 recommendation, lawmakers flagged Medicaid as a major pressure point that will require policy decisions beyond today's committee vote. Speaker White said the budget does not assume large, one‑year infusions for Medicaid and that program priorities and spending controls will be necessary.
"Medicaid's going to have to get a handle on their spending side regardless of what money we come up with," Speaker White said, urging staff and legislators to identify priorities because the committee did not see an immediate $250 million available for the program. Members noted Medicaid has been spending down cash reserves and that future appropriations will require hard tradeoffs.
The committee did not adopt program‑level directives in the meeting; members framed Medicaid as a forthcoming area for targeted review during the legislative session.
