The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 9/10/8
Mississippi is unexpectedly off-the-hook from a Medicaid deficit. Gov. Haley Barbour announced Monday that the state had discovered a five-year-old “miscalculation” in federal reimbursements that will fall in the state’s favor to the tune of about $92 million.
Surprise. Problem solved. That is a nice checkbook mistake to find in the state’s favor.
While it is a nice, convenient bailout for this year, the essential problem remains – Mississippi is some $90 million out of balance and that experience will occur again next year.
The error was made almost five years ago as the state calculated the formula for paying Medicare Part B premiums for Mississippians who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. Mississippi had been paying too much for five years.
Magnolia Tribune
