YP Daily Roundup 5/14/18

Last week Seema Verma, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, warned non-expansion states that their waiver applications would need to include a plan to avoid the “subsidy cliff,” in which a person earns too much to keep their Medicaid coverage and too little to qualify for a tax credit on the insurance exchange. Like many conservatives, Verma had long endorsed Medicaid work requirements, saying they “promote community engagement.” But last week’s comments echoed critics of the waiver program who have argued that work requirements could force more than 20,000 Mississippians out of the Medicaid program.

Mississippi’s application, which was submitted in November and is still waiting on CMS approval, does not currently contain a plan to address a “subsidy cliff.” But the Division of Medicaid told Mississippi Today in a statement that it was currently working with CMS to meet this standard:

“The Mississippi Division of Medicaid is working with the Trump Administration to ensure that the Mississippi Medicaid Workforce Training Initiative offers a responsible path to greater self-sufficiency and well-being. We are not opposed to making adjustments to the waiver application to achieve this goal and are actively working to refine the application where possible.”

The governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Sen. Hyde-Smith gets new office in D.C.

My Washington office is out of transition space and now in 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Appreciate the @uscapitol for facilitating the move. For Mississippians visiting DC, come on in! https://t.co/qvv7CzLPE4 pic.twitter.com/TM2MytZ7QF

— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) May 11, 2018

CLARION LEDGER – 4 judges in Hinds County not seeking re-election

Friday’s deadline for candidates to qualify for judicial elections this year had some surprises in Hinds County with two circuit judges, a chancery judge and a county court judge not seeking re-election.

They are Circuit Judges Bill Gowan and Jeff Weill, Chancery Judge Bill Singletary and County Court Judge Bill Skinner.

Weill has qualified to run for a seat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Also, in Madison and Rankin counties, longtime Circuit Judge William Chapman is retiring.

Gov. Bryant rides to honor fallen veterans

We rode our bikes today from the VA Medical Center to the Jackson Veterans Home to honor our fallen and spend time with those veterans still with us. This is always one of my favorite events. ??? pic.twitter.com/6jOtAzk210

— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) May 12, 2018