MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker says his administration's proposed cuts to Medicaid are designed to preserve a basic safety net.

State health officials released a series of proposals last week designed to generate $554.4 million in Medicaid savings. The centerpiece calls for winning a federal waiver that would allow the state to stiffen eligibility requirements for people with some employer-based insurance and force young people to join their parents' insurance.

Without the waiver, provisions in the state budget would lower eligibility minimums to the point where 53,000 people would lose their coverage. Regardless of whether the state gets the waiver, 215,000 people would see reduced benefits.

Walker says the plan is designed to retain services for the neediest people and make others pay more as their income increase.