KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A state-funded program that helps kidney dialysis patients has lost 25 percent of its funding, and some advocates say the cuts will devastate patients' lives.

One of the Missouri Kidney Program's main jobs is education for those who have been newly diagnosed with kidney disease who need dialysis.

Social workers say patients are often overwhelmed when first told they need dialysis, and the program helps them understand how to adapt their lives to the disease.

The Kansas City Star reports that the state to cut about $940,000 from the program's $3.8 million budget this year.

Beth Witten, who has helped kidney patients for 31 years, says many people who need dialysis respond by ignoring the problem. That eventually leads to higher costs for the patients, hospitals and the state.