OLYMPIA, Wash. – Governor Bob Ferguson is voicing opposition to proposed federal Medicaid cuts, as the Senate parliamentarian has indicated that a key Medicaid provision in President Trump’s spending bill violates Senate rules.
Republicans have been considering increasing provider taxes, which would require states to contribute more towards Medicaid funding. However, Governor Ferguson is concerned about the financial implications.
“The idea is not financially sustainable,” Ferguson said. “If, for example, the Senate version… which would cut about 3 billion dollars over four years to Medicaid… We don’t have 3 billion dollars lying around to put it very mildly. That doesn’t exist. So there would be no way to avoid drastic cuts to individuals in our state.”
According to Ferguson’s office, Washington State allocates $21 billion annually to Medicaid, with $13 billion provided by the federal government.
