Health secretary says Medicaid deficit tops $250 million

(AP) — Louisiana's Medicaid program is more than $250 million over budget this year, as swine flu made costs rise and Medicaid rolls grew amid the national recession, the state health secretary said Thursday.

Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine said he'll give lawmakers on Monday a formal estimate of the midyear deficit for the $6.5 billion program that cares for the poor, elderly and disabled, but said it is "well in excess of $250 million."

The shortfall will have to be closed before the 2009-10 fiscal year ends on June 30.

Levine said swine flu cases have caused more than $100 million of the deficit, driving up emergency room visits, trips to the doctor's office and medication needs — and, therefore, billing costs in the Medicaid program.