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Report claims proposed health cuts will lead to deaths

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new report released by the Kansas Health Institute estimates that proposed health cuts in the Sedgwick County budget could contribute to 65 preventable deaths each year.

The study claims that over time, the proposed $910,374 in health and human services cuts could lead to two additional diabetes deaths, five additional infant deaths, 17 additional cancer deaths and 41 additional heart disease deaths in Sedgwick County each year.

But Sedgwick County Commissioner Richard Ranzau said he does not see any evidence the budget cuts would lead to loss of life, calling the report a “bunch

of political rhetoric of trying to push their agenda of more government in health care.”

The county commissioners will finalize the 2016 budget on Wednesday.

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