“For the past two days, the House leadership has wasted taxpayer money by holding unconstitutional votes on raising cigarette taxes to fund Medicaid. Each time, the measure has failed. Now, instead of taking up the fair and reasonable solution to fully fund Medicaid passed by the Senate by a vote of 41 to 7 with the supporting majority of both Democrats and Republicans, the House has voted to use $90 million in one-time money to pay for the recurring expenses of Medicaid. The purpose of this Special Session is to enact a permanent, sustainable solution for Medicaid funding. The nearly 600,000 Mississippians who depend on Medicaid don’t need a one year band-aid, but that’s what the House leadership has given them. Our hospitals, other healthcare providers, and most vulnerable citizens deserve better.”
Governor Haley Barbour Press Release
5/30/8
Magnolia Tribune
