Medicaid looms as next big budget battle

Debate over Gov. Scott Walker's budget-cutting plan could soon shift to a program that accounts for half of the state's $3.6 billion budget gap over the next two years: Medicaid. At least 50,000 people could lose Medicaid coverage, and many others could face increased fees, reduced benefits or other hurdles. Walker and the Legislature last week proposed giving the state Department of Health Services new powers to seek reforms in Wisconsin's version of the state-federal health plan for the poor. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 2/21)