Gregoire rattles budget-cutting saber

The governor this morning sent a strong signal that spending could be cut next year, when she suggested a brand-new program to prevent falls among seniors may not continue.

Her remarks came during a presentation on the health of the state’s citizens. Falls are a major cause of hospitalization in the state, and this year the Legislature put money into expanding a fall prevention program (think it was $3.7 million for it and other parts of a senior care package).

Gregoire noted that Health Secretary Mary Selecky’s plans to reduce fall-related hospital visits assumed the program would continue in the next two-year budget. Gregoire said that was assuming too much.

“Give me a plan that says there is no time,” Gregoire said. “I’m not saying I’ve made up my mind, but I am saying we ought to be more aggressive. … The pilot idea is nice, OK? But we needed it two biennium ago.”