Topeka ? State welfare officials Tuesday said the federal government could reduce health care funds to the state by $45 million in a future appropriation.

And the total could end up being twice as much, officials said.

The so-called deferrals are the result of audits done by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of ways that the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services drew down federal matching Medicaid dollars.

“It is a significant amount of money,” said Gary Daniels, who is chief of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

He said another $40 million is in dispute, and there could be future disputes too.

He said the state will continue to work to try to reduce the amount of deferrals.