(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The South Carolina Senate is expected to give final approval to a new director for the cash-strapped state Medicaid agency.
Tony Keck's nomination is up for consideration today. Keck faces a major hurdle as he tries to find ways to deal with a $228 million deficit at the state Department of Health and Human Services. The Medicaid agency provides health care coverage for the state's elderly, disabled and poor.
The agency has said it would have to end payments to care providers in March if the state doesn't cover its shortfall.
Gov. Nikki Haley also wants Keck to find a way to avoid being part of the federal health care overhaul.
Keck had served as deputy secretary for Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals since October 2009.
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