Health care groups say jobs budget could lead to layoffs
By The Associated Press
The presidents of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Health Care Association said Friday that Raimondo’s proposal to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates would likely lead to layoffs at area facilities if the cuts are included in the final budget.
They say most of the facilities’ funding pays for staff.
Raimondo unveiled an $8.63 billion budget Thursday that seeks to eliminate a $190 million deficit while implementing no new broad-based tax changes.
She proposes closing the deficit largely through spending cuts. Health and Human Services faces a nearly $94 million cut.
Many people are praising the proposal for its increased education spending, business tax credits and job-creating initiatives.
© The Associated Press/WLNE-TV 2015
