An advisory opinion issued by the Mississippi Ethics Commission last week allows at least one state lawmaker who works at a public hospital to help decide whether that facility should be taxed to pay for Medicaid.
Other legislators who also work for health-care entities may or may not have violated ethics laws when they recently voted on a long-term funding solution for the health insurance program that serves thousands of Mississippians.
Tom Hood, executive director of the commission, said he received several calls from legislators seeking advice on the Medicaid vote. But Hood said a blanket rule for legislators won’t work, because each circumstance is different.
Several House members did not vote or voted “present” on House Bill 17 last week. Some work for public or private hospitals. Others are doctors or pharmacists.
Magnolia Tribune
