Referee hears Medicaid cuts lawsuit arguments

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawyers for an anti-poverty agency and a state agency squared off before a Supreme Court referee Wednesday over plans to cut Medicaid services. <br><br>Attorney Andrew Tevington

Wednesday, October 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawyers for an anti-poverty agency and a state agency squared off before a Supreme Court referee Wednesday over plans to cut Medicaid services.

Attorney Andrew Tevington says a statewide revenue shortfall gave the Oklahoma Health Care Authority no choice but to reduce the number of people eligible for Medicaid.

Tevington says the agency can't spend money it doesn't have.

But Louis Bullock, attorney for the Community Action Project of Tulsa County, says the agency has no authority to cut benefits that have been mandated by the Legislature.

Bullock says the Supreme Court would set a dangerous precedent if it allowed agencies to decide which laws to follow and which to ignore.

The referee will recommend whether the court should decide the issue.