Medicaid, prisons and other public services would risk massive funding shortfalls next year if Alabama voters reject a proposed constitutional amendment, under a General Fund (GF) budget that the state Legislature passed late Wednesday night. The House voted 77-28 for the spending plan, while the Senate approved it 29-6.

Read budget update here.

On Sunday, May 20th, the Marguerite Casey Foundation will hold its first national online convention to ratify an updated 2012 Equal Voice for America's Families platform. Birmingham has been selected as one of three sites that will be broadcast nationally while thousands watch at house parties, town halls and other gatherings. There is reserved seating for up to 250 people. Advance registration is required.

Read Equal Voice 2012 flyer here.

Less than ten hours after the Alabama Legislature adjourned its 2012 regular session sine die, Gov. Robert Bentley proclaimed a special session Thursday morning to address legislative redistricting, changes to Alabama's immigration laws and use tax, and legislation on state financing. In anticipation of the governor's call, State House leaders last week released new legislative district maps reflecting population changes in the 2010 U.S. Census. The call for immigration law changes came as a surprise after the Legislature passed HB 658, a modification of last year's controversial HB 56, on the last day of the regular session. The inclusion of the use tax reflects the Legislature's decision to redirect 25 percent of revenues from the tax away from the Education Trust Fund to the General Fund. To receive regular updates on the 2012 special session and other legislative and policy developments, sign up in the "Stay informed!" box in the lefthand column.

Read Governor Bentley's proclamation here.

Alabamians often are surprised to learn that Medicaid is a major engine for the state's economy. Medicaid creates thousands of jobs, supports rural hospitals and the state's only children's hospital, pays for medical equipment that all patients use, boosts tax revenue in local communities and enhances our quality of life. Medicaid touches the lives of average Alabamians who never need the agency's services themselves.

Alabama Medicaid is in the bull's-eye for cuts as the Legislature looks to balance the FY 2013 General Fund budget in the face of a revenue shortfall. This fact sheet examines what's at stake in the Medicaid budget challenge.

Read fact sheet here.

A House committee Wednesday approved a bill that would allow individuals and businesses to compare and [purchase] insurance plans. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Greg Wren, R-Montgomery, would create a board charged with creating a state health insurance exchange, a hub where those shopping for health insurance could compare prices and options among different plans.

Read article here.