The cut, expected to save the state $1.5 million through June 30, would have affected about 125 hospice patients funded solely through Medicaid -- dying patients too young to qualify for Medicare, Stensland said. The number represents about 6 percent of hospice patients statewide.
The agency's planned Feb. 1 elimination of the program for Medicaid-only patients had been put on a 30-day hold.
Officials decided to take away the ax completely, knowing legislators wanted them to keep the program running and that federal stimulus money could help them do that. The agency also lifted a Dec. 31 freeze on accepting new patients in the program, he said.
Last month, the House unanimously passed a resolution forcing the agency to restore the money. On Tuesday, Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, asked agency officials to find the money somewhere.
Read more from the Associated Press.
