Mississippi PEP Adams County, Medicaid, Southwest Mississippi, Spending

Natchez hospital facing lawsuit over Medicaid and Medicare audits


 A lawsuit could soon be filed against the management and officers of the former Natchez Regional Medical Center. Speaking at a status conference for the formerly county-owned hospital’s federal bankruptcy case, Kenneth Lefoldt — the court-appointed liquidation trustee — said he has seen a draft of the lawsuit against the hospital’s managing officers. The possibility … Continue reading Natchez hospital facing lawsuit over Medicaid and Medicare audits

Mississippi PEP health, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Obamacare, Politics, State Government

MS Hospitals continue pressing for Medicaid expansion.


(graphic credit: Kaiser Family Foundation via MPBOnline.org) St. Dominic's president Lester Diamond says Mississippi hospitals are working on a proposal that would include changes to the existing Medicaid program to help convince reluctant state lawmakers to expand it. Diamond says there is a sweet spot that includes conservative changes to Medicaid but still open access … Continue reading MS Hospitals continue pressing for Medicaid expansion.

Mississippi PEP Entitlements, Federal Government, health, Medicaid, Obamacare

#ObamaCare growing Medicaid and CHIP in Mississippi without expansion.


Mississippi's Medicaid enrollment has grown since January, even as top elected officials continue to oppose expanding the program. Medicaid director David Dzielak (JELL-ick) told legislative budget writers Friday that the biggest reason for the enrollment increase is a new type of income calculation. He said that under the federal health overhaul law, the Affordable Care … Continue reading #ObamaCare growing Medicaid and CHIP in Mississippi without expansion.

Mississippi PEP Federal Government, health, Medicaid, Obamacare, State Government

Federal judge in Oklahoma rules no tax subsidies without a state run exchange.


A federal judge in Oklahoma has ruled against the Obama Administration in a case challenging the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services decision to extend tax subsidies to states without a state health insurance exchange. The decision comes on the heels of several other rulings, including the opinion of the D.C. Circuit in Halbig … Continue reading Federal judge in Oklahoma rules no tax subsidies without a state run exchange.

Mississippi PEP Education, Entitlements, Federal Government, health, Insurance, Medicaid, Mississippi, Spending, State Government

Mississippi Dropouts Are Driving Up Medicaid Costs by $52 million per year.


A new study adds further clout to the idea that dropouts are a national problem, not a personal one—because they cost the medical system money. Wealthy people are healthy people, more or less. They have the money to pay for health insurance, and get better medicine, and more frequent treatment. High school dropouts rarely achieve … Continue reading Mississippi Dropouts Are Driving Up Medicaid Costs by $52 million per year.

Mississippi PEP contributor, Democrats, Entitlements, Ethics, Federal Government, Governor, health, Insurance, Keith Plunkett, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Opinion, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government, Tate Reeves

PLUNKETT: Medicaid Session truth is not pretty, but the deal got done.


BY: B. Keith Plunkett @Keithplunkett It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. It’s oftentimes a little less flattering, too. Such is the case with the Medicaid Special Session held last week at the State Capitol.Unity is the word of the week from Republicans--ALMOST all Republicans--but the truth is the session wasn’t all smiles, … Continue reading PLUNKETT: Medicaid Session truth is not pretty, but the deal got done.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, Ethics, Federal Government, health, Insurance, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Politics, Republican, State Government

TAYLOR: Real dialogue, not religious warfare needed in Medicaid debate


The working poor — indeed, all of us — deserve a real dialogue about the future of Medicaid in Mississippi. Name calling and grandstanding is not serving anyone. Neither is reverting to a kind of religious warfare. Medicaid patients have much higher mortality rates and much poorer health outcomes than people on private insurance. As … Continue reading TAYLOR: Real dialogue, not religious warfare needed in Medicaid debate

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, health, Insurance, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government, Tate Reeves

Lt. Gov. Reeves hints at support of one-year repealer, and more expansion debate in 2014.


On the opening day of the special session Thursday, the House voted to both reauthorize and to fund the health care program, something it could not do in the regular session. But both bills were held on parliamentary maneuvers meaning they cannot be taken up by the Senate before Friday. With the votes on funding … Continue reading Lt. Gov. Reeves hints at support of one-year repealer, and more expansion debate in 2014.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, Ethics, Federal Government, Governor, health, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Obamacare, Phil Bryant, Philip Gunn, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government

“On the side of the angels”: Dems try emotion in expansion debate.


A special session of the Mississippi Legislature called by Gov. Phil Bryant to try to prevent a Medicaid shutdown Sunday quickly brought emotional testimony and debate from lawmakers Thursday. “These are working folks!” said Rep. Bo Eaton, D-Taylorsville. “Help them today! In Jesus’ name, care!” Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, gave emotional testimony about his “working … Continue reading “On the side of the angels”: Dems try emotion in expansion debate.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, Governor, health, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Opinion, Phil Bryant, Philip Gunn, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government

CORDER: Medicaid Special Session could go well into the weekend.


After all the smoke clears, the real question is will Democrats really vote against this program for a 5th time? A straight up or down vote against reauthorizing Medicaid is a killer vote for Democrats right now. Vote for it (and do the right thing) and they lose the political fight. Vote against it and … Continue reading CORDER: Medicaid Special Session could go well into the weekend.