West Virginia's spending on Medicaid health care for the poor and disabled has nearly doubled during the past decade, while the number of state Medicaid recipients has remained about the same, according to a recent study.

But the report, by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, also found that Medicaid's growth hasn't outpaced overall health-care spending in the state.

"People think Medicaid spending is out of control, and that's not the case," said Ted Boettner, the center's executive director. "While Medicaid funding has increased, spending as a whole, in terms of its percentage of total state spending, has actually decreased a little bit."

About 20 percent of West Virginia's population - 390,000 people - received Medicaid benefits last year. Almost half of those were children.

The Center on Budget and Policy expects to release three additional reports on Medicaid later this year and early next year.

The current report found that West Virginia Medicaid spending increased from $335 million in 1996 to $651 million last year. When combined with federal funding, which accounts for 75 percent of total Medicaid dollars, more than $2.2 billion was spent on the health-insurance program in 2007.

During the same period, West Virginia's Medicaid enrollment increased only slightly from about 350,000 people in 1997 to 392,000 last year.

However, Medicaid spending made up 10 percent of total state spending last year, down from 10.5 percent in 1997.

"$2.2 billion is a lot of money," said Shannon Landrum, spokeswoman for the state Medicaid office. "We're committed to looking at how the money is spent rather than spending more. This involves our department's philosophy of providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time."

West Virginia also spends more per Medicaid recipient - $6,285 - than any bordering state. By contrast, Kentucky spends $4,964 per enrollee, and Maryland and Ohio spend about $5,800 per Medicaid recipient.

Boettner said West Virginia spends more than surrounding states because it has the highest percentage of Medicaid recipients with disabilities.

"These numbers are no surprise because West Virginia has the oldest, poorest and least-educated population of the surrounding states," he said.

West Virginia also has the highest percentage of its overall population enrolled in Medicaid among the neighboring states.

West Virginia's spending on Medicaid health care for the poor and disabled has nearly doubled during the past decade, while the number of state Medicaid recipients has remained about the same, according to a recent study.

But the report, by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, also found that Medicaid's growth hasn't outpaced overall health-care spending in the state.

"People think Medicaid spending is out of control, and that's not the case," said Ted Boettner, the center's executive director. "While Medicaid funding has increased, spending as a whole, in terms of its percentage of total state spending, has actually decreased a little bit."

About 20 percent of West Virginia's population - 390,000 people - received Medicaid benefits last year. Almost half of those were children.

The Center on Budget and Policy expects to release three additional reports on Medicaid later this year and early next year.

The current report found that West Virginia Medicaid spending increased from $335 million in 1996 to $651 million last year. When combined with federal funding, which accounts for 75 percent of total Medicaid dollars, more than $2.2 billion was spent on the health-insurance program in 2007.

During the same period, West Virginia's Medicaid enrollment increased only slightly from about 350,000 people in 1997 to 392,000 last year.

However, Medicaid spending made up 10 percent of total state spending last year, down from 10.5 percent in 1997.

"$2.2 billion is a lot of money," said Shannon Landrum, spokeswoman for the state Medicaid office. "We're committed to looking at how the money is spent rather than spending more. This involves our department's philosophy of providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time."

West Virginia also spends more per Medicaid recipient - $6,285 - than any bordering state. By contrast, Kentucky spends $4,964 per enrollee, and Maryland and Ohio spend about $5,800 per Medicaid recipient.

Boettner said West Virginia spends more than surrounding states because it has the highest percentage of Medicaid recipients with disabilities.

"These numbers are no surprise because West Virginia has the oldest, poorest and least-educated population of the surrounding states," he said.

West Virginia also has the highest percentage of its overall population enrolled in Medicaid among the neighboring states.

About two-thirds of West Virginia's total Medicaid budget goes to provide services to the elderly and disabled, according to the study. The remaining money helps children, low-income parents and pregnant women. Medicaid pays for about half of all births in West Virginia.

The report notes that Medicaid isn't just a health insurance program. It also pays for long-term care at nursing homes and at beneficiaries' private residences.

In 2005, 11,126 West Virginians received Medicaid-covered services in nursing homes, while 4,571 were cared for in communities and private residences through the state's Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver program.

The study found that about 56,00 West Virginia seniors who qualify for Medicare also received Medicaid services.

The report said it's a misnomer to call Medicaid "health insurance for the poor" because low-income adults with no children and disabilities rarely qualify for the program. About 25 percent of West Virginia's working adults have no health insurance.

The Medicaid program expects to finish the year with a $94 million surplus, and the money will be allocated toward next year's Medicaid budget.

Similar surpluses aren't expected in future years because West Virginia is phasing out a tax on health-care providers - doctors and health clinics - that now fund 25 percent of the state's Medicaid budget.

"The decrease of the provider tax will lead to significant budget problems for Medicaid without an increase in support from the general revenue fund," Boettner said.

The study also found that Medicaid is a vital part of the state's economy, creating 50 jobs and $1.7 million in wages for every $1 million invested.

"It's one of the most important thing the state does," Boettner said. "It's about 4 percent of the state gross domestic product."

A coalition of religious, labor and advocacy groups planned to criticize the state's revamped Medicaid program during a press conference at 1 p.m. today. The redesigned program, called "Mountain Health Choices,' limits health services to poor people, the advocates say.

To read the Center on Budget and Policy's full report, go to www.wvpolicy.org/reports.html

To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4969.