Augusta - AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Gov. Paul LePage's administration is formally asking the federal government to approve cuts in Medicaid programs that were included in Maine's budget-balancing law enacted this spring.

The cuts, due to take effect Oct. 1, eliminate Medicaid coverage for 19- and 20-year-olds; remove 1,825 people from the Medicare Savings Program; and increase eligibility requirements for non-disabled, non-pregnant adults on Medicaid. The cuts altogether amount to $20 million.

Maine Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew says the request, filed Wednesday, says the state had voluntarily agreed to expanded Medicaid benefits through mid-2011, but the national health care law later froze those standards. Attorney General William Schneider says that in effect made a voluntary program mandatory. He says the U.S. Supreme Court's ruled against requiring states to maintain previous standards.

Mayhew says the amendment is necessary for Maine to balance their budget. "For us right now it's the here and now," Mayhew said. "We have a budget that's been adopted by the legislature, we have a requirement to have a balanced budget, and these provisions directly relate to our ability to achieve the savings authorized by the legislature."

Schneider said if their amendment is not approved by October 1st, the federal government has the option of paying Maine's share of the cost from October 1st forward until a decision is made. If they deny the request outright, Schneider says he'll take the case to federal court.

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