State health officials hear from both sides of Medicaid debate at public meetings

Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith and Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades listened to concerns and suggestions about Medicaid, the state-federal health plan for the poor. Medicaid has an annual budget of $6.7 billion, roughly 60 percent from federal money, and covers 1.2 million people in Wisconsin, or one in five residents. It includes BadgerCare Plus, Family Care, SeniorCare and other services. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 4/6)