Medicaid shortfall resolved, Barbour says

The Clarion-Ledger, 8/5/8

Gov. Haley Barbour said Monday his latest plan to fund Medicaid resolves a monthslong debate over the issue.

But the plan has not received formal federal approval. Health-care providers are concerned about the plan’s effects, and there are questions over whether the governor can bypass lawmakers.

The Republican governor, who oversees Medicaid, spoke to reporters after lawmakers ended an off-and-on special session that began in May and resulted in no agreement on a long-term funding solution for the health-care program that serves almost 600,000 low-income Mississippians. The session cost taxpayers $607,872.