News

Legislature allocates $685 million from General Fund to Medicaid

4/30/2014

A General Fund appropriation of $685 million will make it possible for the Alabama Medicaid Agency to continue its current operations into Fiscal Year 2015, according to State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson, who is overseeing the agency’s transition efforts. The 2015 Fiscal Year begins in October 2014.

 

The Alabama Legislature adjourned its 2014 session after approving a $1.8 billion General Fund budget which included funding for the Medicaid agency. The budget reflected the recommendation made earlier in the year by Governor Robert Bentley to increase Medicaid funding by $70 million over the previous year’s appropriation of $615 million. Governor Bentley signed the funding bill into law on April 4.

 

“The legislature had the very difficult job this year of balancing the needs of all the agencies which depend on the General Fund,” Dr. Williamson said. “We appreciate the support provided by the Governor and the legislature to Medicaid as we continue our efforts to implement key payment and delivery system reforms.”