Medicaid Solution Still Uncertain
Three major groups will see decreases in Medicaid reimbursements, depending on which option is used, physicians, nursing facilities and hospitals.
The cuts have to total $375 million. Without funding the $90 million shortfall, the state doesn’t get the federal match. Rep. Cecil Brown says that means jobs and services will be lost.
“Oh, yeah, if he makes the cuts, jobs will be lost and patients won’t have the services they have now,” said Brown. “So it’s a dangerous situation.”
Brown also said he believes cuts aren’t necessary.
“We had a $280 million deficit three years ago and we were able to fix that without any cuts at all, so this is not the first time this has happened. This is clearly a threat to get people scared,” Brown said.
Rep. Phillip Gunn said he believes cuts are not necessary, because a solution has already passed the Senate.
“The office of Medicaid, the governor’s office and the hospital association have come to an agreement on a solution and the House of Representatives leadership’s failed to embrace that solution,” said Gunn.
Gunn said he believes Barbour will make the cuts, if he has to. It remains to be see if the House will pass the hospital assessment so he doesn’t.
The governor, House Speaker Billy McCoy, and Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss possible solutions to the Medicaid shortfall.
WTOK
6/18/8
Magnolia Tribune
