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Rate cuts canceled for Medicaid behavioral health providers

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Companies that offer behavioral health care to Medicaid patients will not face planned cuts in rate payments from the New Mexico Human Services Department. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (http://bit.ly/2hDnXNJ) reductions would have been implemented Jan. 1 as a result of a state budget signed by Gov. Susana Martinez. Medicaid has faced cuts since drops in oil and gas revenue removed millions from the state budget. Human Services Department spokesman Kyler Nerison did not respond Friday to questions about why the rate cuts were reversed. Officials last spring wanted to save $30 million in Medicaid costs. That $30 million reduction would have led to the loss of $110 million in matching federal funds. It's unknown whether the $30 million was made up elsewhere after the rate cuts were eliminated.