Medicaid Impasse Could Force Special Session

WAPT, 3/28/8

With three weeks left in the 2008 session, leaders in the Mississippi House and Senate are working together to find a funding fix for Medicaid.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said he’s confident a solution to the funding issue will be found soon. Bryant said he and Senate Public Health Committee Chairman Hob Bryan were working with House Speaker Billy McCoy and Gov. Haley Barbour’s office on a plan.

If the regular session ends with the program’s budget in limbo, that gives Barbour a reason to call a special session and allows him to regulate how much latitude lawmakers have in resolving the problem. Barbour sets the agenda and lawmakers can’t deviate from it.