Health Care Cuts for Hospitals, Doctors, Pharmacists SEATTLE, WA (KPLU) - Hospitals, doctors and pharmacies get a pay cut today, July 1st, as part of the legislature's effort to balance this year's state budget. The trims come through Washington's low-income Medicaid program. Hospitals will see payments from the state cut by about 4%. Pharmacies will get 2% less for each prescription drug they sell to state-supported Medicaid patients. Dr. Jeff Thompson, the chief medical officer for Medicaid in Washington, says additional savings are coming from being more efficient. For example, his agency will pay for fewer c-sections, and require more prescriptions to be generic drugs, instead of brand-name. People in the Medicaid program will also be paying more out of their pockets for items such as home-health devices and nutrition supplements.

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