Kentucky has had a rough economic time, especially now that President Bush has officially declared that the U.S. is in a recession.  Governor Steve Beshear has mentioned “belt tightening” in each one of his public speeches since November, and is still trying to push raising the tobacco tax to create some extra funding.  No big changes here… his ideas are still being shot down right and left. 

State budget cuts are now affecting the entire state.  Education, healthcare, jobs, emergency services… you name it, they’re all taking a hit.  Healthcare is the latest program that could get the proverbial axe.  “Belt tightening” is jeopardizing programs that help those who are lease able to help themselves. 

The Health and Family Services Cabinet has been notified that it must slash its budget by $18.6 million dollars.  Hanging in the balance are programs that serve children, the jobless, and the elderly.

So far, no one has been laid off… meaning that cuts could come in other forms, including a $1.5 million dollars in cuts to local health departments.  Funding for the Home Place, which helps rural seniors and disabled people locate health care services, may be eliminated completely.  Funding for the newer Kentucky Caregiver Program, which helps grandparents who are in need of financial help raising grandchildren are at risk of being eliminated too. 

Healthcare officials say that making cuts like these would put everyone at risk, and make living in this difficult economy that much harder. 

The Health and Family Services Cabinet is in favor of increasing the cigarette tax to bring in more revenue to avoid a looming cut in staff.