Physicians group decries Medicaid funding stalemate

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/20/8

A special session to address Medicaid funding likely will resume next week with an impasse between Gov. Haley Barbour and House leaders, despite a meeting Thursday intended to reach a compromise.

Discussions between House and Senate leaders are expected to continue.

A group representing physicians statewide blasted the standoff that has resulted in Barbour threatening $375 million in cuts in July if his solution isn’t adopted.

“They ought to quit playing politics down there so we can take care of Medicaid patients as best we can,” said Dr. J. Patrick Barrett, president of the 3,600-member Mississippi Medical Association.