Governor Perdue Recommends Delay in Changes to Medically Needy Program

ATLANTA, GA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he will recommend to the Board of the Department of Community Health that changes to the medically needy program within Medicaid be delayed until September 30, 2004 to give the affected parties adequate time to find coverage alternatives. Governor Perdue has directed the Departments of Community Health and Human Resources to assist these patients with the transition to alternative care or the establishment of Miller Trusts.

"With insufficient time afforded to medically needy patients and their families to find alternative forms of care, I am recommending to the Board of Community Health that they continue coverage through the end of September," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "It is unfortunate that the state cannot continue to fund this program, but this delay will give patients and their families more time to make coverage decisions."