Gov. Scott Walker and the Department of Health Services revealed plans late last week to cut an estimated $444 million from Medicaid in order to balance the state’s budget.

DHS launched a website last week that outlines the proposed cuts to Medicaid, a health care program for seniors, children and individuals with disabilities. According to the website, cuts need to be made in order to keep the program in balance with the state budget after a decrease in the amount of federal matching funds to the program.

Among the changes DHS is proposing are reforms to eligibility, benefits, service delivery and payment, according the website.

Walker’s spokesperson Cullen Werwie said in an email to The Badger Herald that Medicaid has been the top priority in Walker’s budget, with more than $1.2 billion of additional state money dedicated to medical assistance programs.

Werwie said Walker’s administration is doing all it can to prevent cuts to the system, arguing that nearly every new state tax dollar collected has been directed to Medicaid programs.

“DHS’ announcement today is an extension of the governor’s commitment to continue to show that medical assistance is a top priority,” Werwie said. “Moving forward, we will continue to work with DHS to ensure taxpayer dollars are efficiently and effectively targeted to those who are truly in need of assistance.”

Werwie said the program reforms are a first step toward receiving input and having a constructive dialogue about the best way to move Medicaid forward.

Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, released a statement in response to the DHS announcement, saying the cuts would force people to go without health care.

“Once again, the Walker administration is asking working families to be the only ones to sacrifice to balance the state budget,” Richards said in the statement.

Richards also expressed worry for children under Medicaid.

“I was particularly concerned with the Walker administration’s suggestion that insuring more children through Medicaid is a big problem,” he said. “The last place we should be looking to balance the budget is health care for children.”

Richards sent a letter to the Health Committees in the state Assembly and Senate, according to the statement, asking them to schedule a hearing for individuals to share their comments on the proposed Medicaid reforms.

Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, said the cuts would devastate those who were already in financially difficult situations. Roys also commented on the trend in cuts by the Walker administration, saying cuts to public education, health care and basic social services continue to have a negative impact on working families in Wisconsin.

“The Walker administration has made a choice,” Roys said. “The cuts to Medicaid are almost the exact same amount of money he gave in tax cuts to wealthy people in the state to provide further tax benefits for their health savings account. These are people that have great health coverage already, and they’re getting an additional break.”

Roys said Medicaid is critical for children, disabled individuals and working families whose jobs do not include benefits or health coverage.

She said the state should not be looking to cut health programs, but instead should look to other options, such as “special interest giveaways” or the state’s corrections program.

“The idea that these cuts are somehow unavoidable, or that we could not have made another choice, is false,” Roys said. “You always have other choices.”

Due to a reporting error, in the original article, Rep. Kelda Helen Roys’ name was spelled incorrectly. In addition, it was mistakenly reported that she said the cuts were “unavailable,” when she had really said the cuts were “unavoidable.” The article has been changed to correct the mistakes. We regret the error.