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The Alabama House of Representatives approved a plan to cut state funding to the Medicaid Agency by $156 million next year. The House approved the budget amendment 46-44, with Republicans casting all the votes in favor. Sixteen Republicans joined 28 Democrats in voting no. The vote came on reconsideration. The House had rejected the amendment 46-45 moments before. (Cason, 8/5)

The Alabama House of Representatives got two bites at a budgetary apple Wednesday. The second ripped a big chunk out of the state’s Medicaid program. After three hours of debate, the lower chamber voted 46 to 45 to reject a $156 million cut to the state’s Medicaid program, a controversial move that not even the mover of the proposal seemed to agree with. But some minutes later, House Majority Leader Micky Hammon, R-Decatur, moved reconsideration of the vote. On the second try, the move to cut Medicaid passed 46 to 44, thanks to votes from members who had been absent on the first ballot and a switch by Rep. Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads, from no to yes. (Lyman, 8/5)

Alabama's longtime health officer said Wednesday that he is leaving his state post after more than two decades to become president of the Alabama Hospital Association. Dr. Don Williamson said he wanted to remain involved in health care even though he is leaving the Alabama Department of Public Health, and going to work for the private group allows him to do that. (Chandler, 8/5)