Medicaid Trumps Education Spending

Governor Benson has announced that he won't veto a Medicaid funding bill.

Among other things, the bill requires that the Administration get approval from Lawmakers before approving any Federal Medicaid Waivers that could result in the state paying higher rates.

This legislation comes as the Department of Health and Human Services is re-examining its medicaid programs.

The health care program for low-income people accounts for about 25% of all spending from the state's general fund and costs have been rising by about 10% a year.

The commissioner for health and human services says savings must be found.

Other states are also wrestling with Medicaid.

In a recent editorial, the head of the National Governor's Association observed that despite those efforts, spending continues to climb.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Jon Greenberg has more.