Arkansas cuts would hit schools, elderly, health care

5:08 PM, Feb 27, 2013   |    comments
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - State agencies in Arkansas are working to figure out what they will have to cut if automatic reductions in the federal budget go into effect.

State Budget Director Brandon Sharp says about $54 million in federal cuts have already been identified, but the total loss would likely be tens of millions of dollars higher.

For instance, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences derives grants from federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, which have not yet identified which programs will be reduced or eliminated.

The state Health Department says it will find a way to work around cuts targeted at early childhood immunizations, an area that's in line to lose about $78,000 in Arkansas.

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