Wrap: Under the contract, the state would pay Public Consulting Group for each person recieving cash benefits or Medicaid, as well as each foster child it moved to federal disability.  

Some lawmakers said earlier in the week they feared the contract would ultimately lead recipients to a lifetime dependent on federal aid.

In a letter sent to lawmakers, the department said it will amend the contract so PCG will only focus on those with serious medical conditions.

Here's Republican House Speaker Tim Jones on the changes:

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Wrap: Under the contract, the state would encourage each person recieving cash benefits, Medicaid as well as foster children to move to federal disability, but now it will only focus on those with serious medical conditions.

The department claimed the contract would save money for taxpayers by moving the welfare recipients to federal,rather than state-funded, aid.

Earlier in the week Republican Representative Jay Barnes said he feared the contract would result in some being pressured into federal aid for their entire lives.

But Barnes and other House Republicans indicated their optimism about the changes made to the contract.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.