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Proposed Budget Would Slash Health Programs

By KRWG News

Texas – The first draft of the next Texas state budget would cut $2.3 billion in state general revenue funds from Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and other health and human services, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The budget document from the Legislative Budget Board laid out a baseline for lawmakers. The first draft recommends cutting Medicaid, CHIP and food stamps by $2 billion. The draft cuts also include a $241 million dollar cut in state health services and $36 million in assistive living funds and $2 million to the Department of Aging.

Texas is trying to overcome a budget shortfall estimated at $15 billion. The draft budget does not call for any new taxes or tapping into the state's $9.2 billion rainy day fund.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.