Just minutes ago, the mayor released his budget to the Metro Council and the rest of us. \u00a0Relevant to recent discussions on these pages, Mayor Greg Fischer recommended funding the Quality and Community Care Trust for 2012-2013 at $7.0 million which actually keeps it at the 2012 level. \u00a0Here is what the Mayor had to say about the QCCT:<\/p>\n
“This budget continues to fund external charitable agencies at the same rate I proposed last year and the same rate since merger\u00a0and continues to fund, also at the same level, indigent healthcare at University Hospital. We are committed to indigent care and to being an active participantin finding solutions to the long term needs of indigent care and the challenges that University Hospital faces.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This may appear to be a decrease, but in prior years, the University was returning $2.6 million of a larger budgeted amount of $9.6 million. \u00a0This is not a decrease in the net amount provided to University Hospital for care of those it deems eligible. \u00a0Rather it provides a more honest accounting and avoids the dysfunctional and vaguely dishonest appearance of the earlier shell game. \u00a0I think the State Auditor’s recent audit<\/a> would favor this accounting change and I commend the Mayor.<\/p>\n
What remains to be seen is how the Kentucky State Legislature will view this honest accounting. \u00a0Some in the legislature have promised that if Metro Government reduces its contribution to the QCCT fund, \u00a0that they would push for the state to reduce its own contribution dollar-for-dollar. \u00a0The Mayor’s budget does not change the net amount contributed and should not be used as an excuse to reduce the states share. \u00a0Indeed, the report from Auditor Edelen’s office tells us that the Commonwealth has been playing a little $5 million shell game of its own with the University.<\/p>\n