BY: Robert P. Riggs, P.E. I had watched the public debate over Medicaid expansion in Mississippi with intense interest during the 2013 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature. The state of Mississippi does not have any ability to fund an increase in Medicaid care for any extended timeframe. This unfortunate fact was well recognized by … Continue reading RIGGS: Brookhaven Hospital CEO behind false ads against legislators should be removed from position.
MDE may use centralized rating system for Pre-K despite removal of language from bill.
The state Department of Education may use a classroom rating system to decide which groups qualify to run state-supported prekindergarten programs. And some child care centers in low-income areas say the ratings could prevent them from participating. Lawmakers this year started the state’s first foray into preschool, a pilot program that will be implemented in … Continue reading MDE may use centralized rating system for Pre-K despite removal of language from bill.
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.
HARRISON: Democrats say some Republicans in Legislature promise revisit of Medicaid expansion in 2014.
It appears Mississippi will join about half the states in not participating in Medicaid expansion during the 2014 calendar year, forfeiting at least one of three years where all health care costs from the expansion will be paid by the federal government. But even though legislative Democrats were unsuccessful in expanding Medicaid during last month’s … Continue reading HARRISON: Democrats say some Republicans in Legislature promise revisit of Medicaid expansion in 2014.
STAPLES: Legislature no stranger to reauthorization fights.
BY: Rebekah Staples @rstapes The recent debate in Jackson on whether the state should expand its taxpayer-funded Medicaid program in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA; also known as “Obamacare”) brought back certain legislative memories. Call me crazy, but there seems to be a trend – both in the way D.C. promotes adoption of … Continue reading STAPLES: Legislature no stranger to reauthorization fights.
HALL: Gunn stood firm against Reeves in Medicaid Session.
A meeting between the state's top three leaders that Friday, just before the end of the session, is now something of minor legend among Capitol politicos. Supposedly the only three people there were Bryant, Gunn and Reeves -- though some say a governor's aide or two were present -- so only a very few know … Continue reading HALL: Gunn stood firm against Reeves in Medicaid Session.
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.
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
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.
Rep. Steve Holland: We’re going to talk about expansion.
In today’s special session, the Republican leadership, particularly Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton and Gov. Phil Bryant, will continue to try to block an expansion vote. But Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said, “We’re going to talk about Medicaid, all facets of it, including of the expansion.” Whether there will be a vote on expansion remains … Continue reading Rep. Steve Holland: We’re going to talk about expansion.
Mississippi PEP 