LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says there wasn't an attempt to keep lawmakers in the dark about a higher-than-expected Medicaid shortfall the Department of Human Services says it will face in 2013.
Beebe on Friday said he's still skeptical of the $350 million to $400 million shortfall DHS says Medicaid faces for the budget year that begins July 1, 2013. DHS said Thursday its new estimate was higher than the $250 million figure lawmakers were originally told.
The Democratic governor said the revised estimate reinforces his objection to a proposal from some Republicans to use $14 million in surplus money to pay for part of a $114 million Medicaid budget increase Beebe's proposed for the coming year.
Beebe said that proposal would only add to the shortfall expected.
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