SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state has asked the Department of Social and Health Services to examine options for a 15% budget cut after a projected $9 billion shortfall is expected over the next two years.

They say more than $1 billion in losses could occur for about 12,000 elderly and long-term care recipients and more than 8,000 developmentally disabled people.

DSHS spokesman Chris Wright said the potential cuts “could have a huge effect on a large portion of the population of the state.”