Medicaid committee says divide Alabama program

The CEO of Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Mike Warren, made the recommendation to the committee during a meeting Wednesday at the county health department in Montgomery. It was approved by an overwhelming voice vote.

The chairman of the commission, state Health officer Don Williamson, said each division would manage its own program. Committee members say the divisions reflect the different needs in various parts of the state. Williamson said it would most likely be 2015 before the new Medicaid structure was in pace.

"We won't have an infinite amount of time to do this," the state health officer said.

Gov. Robert Bentley created the committee to look for better and more economical ways to manage the state's health care program for the poor. Williamson says the committee will likely have one more meeting to complete the final wording of its recommendations, which are due by Jan. 31.