NM may ax adult dental Medicaid

Faced with a $433 million budget deficit, New Mexico may cut adult dental and other Medicaid benefits that are optional under federal rules, according to the New Mexico Independent.

The shortfall in the state's Medicaid program alone could reach $300 million by January 1, 2011, the newspaper reported. Also on the chopping block is the state's State Coverage Insurance program, which helps pay premiums for low-income people. And the state is considering reducing its reimbursement rates under Medicaid.

Gov. Bill Richardson said the state will have to cut Medicaid somewhere. "My hope is the cuts in Medicaid will be minimal," he said, according to the newspaper. "But we are going to have to make some cuts there."

Medicaid is already short $40 million because the recession has forced more New Mexicans to enroll, the Independent reported.

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