Sebelius May Not Have Power to Approve Arizona Medicaid Cuts

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s proposal to cut 280,000 people from the state’s Medicaid rolls is being reviewed by U.S. officials who don’t know whether they have the power to approve the action, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.

The secretary, answering questions after a meeting yesterday with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, said there is “legal uncertainty” about the action because the program expansion that Brewer seeks to reverse occurred through a ballot initiative, not a legislative vote. Sebelius said that may limit her authority to grant the request.