AZ Lawmakers Grabble With Transplant Coverage Cut

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona's elimination of Medicaid coverage for some transplants last fall to help close a budget gap is still an issue for state legislators even as they consider additional health care cuts.

Lawmakers have introduced numerous bills and held news conferences with transplant candidates to call for reversal of the budget cut that eliminated coverage for some transplants last fall. Democrats will raise the issue again at a budget hearing Wednesday.

Majority Republicans and Gov. Jan Brewer show no sign of reversing the cut. In fact, they're poised to drop Medicaid coverage for 280,000 adults to help close another shortfall.

Two people taken off transplant lists have died, with one directly attributed to the elimination of coverage. Another man died during preparations for a privately funded transplant.

.