Medicaid by the numbers

BLUNT'S PROPOSED CUTS TO STATE MEDICAID

* Elimination of Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities, known as "Ticket to Work," that provides health coverage for disabled people who are still working. Allows income up to 250 percent of federal poverty level (defined as $9,570 for individual, $19,350 for family of four) to retain coverage.

Savings: $11.9 million in general revenue funds and $51.6 million in total state and federal funds.

Effect: 17,795 people affected.

* Elimination of benefits under the General Relief program. Cash benefits for the program were eliminated in 2004 budget cycle. Proposed budget would eliminate medical benefits portion.

Savings: $13.2 million in general (totally state funded).

Effect: 3,046 people affected.

* Elimination of extended transitional Medicaid, which provides assistance for those moving to self-sufficiency. One year of coverage is federally mandated, this would eliminate the second year of coverage.

Savings: $300,000 in general revenue. $2.1 million state and federal.

Effect: 1,150 people

* Reduce Old Age Assistance and Permanently and Totally Disabled assistance to people making $579/month for a single individual and $869/month for married couples.

Savings: $27.8 million in general revenue funds, $74.1 million in state and federal funds.

Effect: 39,853 people affected.

* Reduce adults under Medical Assistance for Families program from 75 percent of federal poverty level to 30 percent. Mostly low-income parents of children receiving Medicaid.

Savings: $30.6 million in general revenue funds. $80.8 million state and federal.

Effect: 60,714 people affected.

* Medicaid service reductions: Eliminate adult dental care, podiatry care and rehabilitation/specialty services (includes crutches, wheelchairs, ambulance services, hospice care and prosthetics).

Source: Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, Cape Girardeau office