Some Medicaid patients may soon feel the pain of cutbacks in Raleigh.

Under the proposed spending plan, adult Medicaid patients would lose their coverage for most dental procedures.

According to the Richmond County Department of Social Services, about a quarter of Richmond County’s population are on the Medicaid rolls. That represents about 11,000 people.

Of these, about 6,000 are children, 2,000 disabled adults, 2,000 are enrolled in a program for the coverage of families, 200 are pregnant women and 672 are enrolled in a program that includes a monthly stipend with Medicaid coverage.

The formula to determine eligibility for Medicaid is complex, and hinges on factors such as income and the age and number of dependents one has, according to County Social Services Director Tammy Schrenker.

County Health Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell said the changes, if accepted, wouldn’t affect the health department, because its dental clinic only treats children, but could impact county citizens.

“It would affect Medicaid patients in the county, because they wouldn’t have access to these services except in some emergency cases,” Jarrell said. “With more than 25 percent of our folks on Medicaid in the county, there are quite a few that would be affected.”

Jarrell explained Medicaid already don’t cover braces and other corrective procedures, but under the governor’s proposal, patients would lose coverage for cleanings, fillings and other services.

He said a cleaning can cost up to $150 in Richmond County, while a filling can cost $200 or more, depending on its size.

“Basically, they wouldn’t be covered unless they needed a tooth pulled or something like that,” Jarrell said.

While the loss of coverage for these services represents a hit for those adults who depend on Medicaid, Schrenker sees the potential for more people to be hurt by budget cuts in the plan.

“We’re talking about a 5 percent cut (for state Health and Human Services) across the board,” Schrenker said. “That is a lot of services.”

Schrenker also pointed out Perdue’s proposal is not the final decision, and the General Assembly is expected to offer its own solutions to the state budget shortfall before a final budget is adopted.

Aside from the education and health spending cuts, other programs would also get the ax under Perdue’s plan. They include a wilderness program for juvenile offenders, the News and Observer reported last week.

The Associated Press is also reporting Perdue wants to eliminate about a quarter of the state boards and commissions which depend, entirely or in part, on gubernatorial appointments to fill their ranks.

Perdue has told legislators and the public alike tough choices will have to be made to balance the state budget.

Last year, the state faced approximately a $3 billion budget shortfall, which was offset by about $1.5 billion in stimulus money from the federal government.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.