05.08.12 Louisiana's health agency executives on Monday outlined $157.7 million in spending cuts prompted by new state revenue projections that came up short of what the Jindal administration proposed to spend in the new budget year.

The proposed budget balancing steps discussed by state Department of Health and Hospitals officials include:

• Additional cuts in Medicaid payments to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers. The initial budget included 2 percent reductions. The new round adds an average 1.7 percent cut.

• Another round of layoffs impacting more than 200 employees.

• Reductions in community-based services for the developmentally disabled as entrance into one of the key programs is shut down.

"We are committed to laying out a balanced budget that protects critical services," said DHH Secretary Bruce Greenstein.