Mississippi Medicaid Saved from Insolvency

JACKSON, Miss.–In a special session March 13, Mississippi
lawmakers passed legislation to borrow money from the state’s
tobacco trust fund to keep its Medicaid program afloat.

“This is a very happy weekend for 780,000 Medicaid recipients
and the thousands who provide them health care,” Gov. Haley Barbour
said in a statement. “In fact, I suspect every Mississippian is
glad this health crisis is over.”

The state’s Medicaid program, which carried a $268 million
deficit, came dangerously close to bankruptcy in recent weeks. And
since October of last year, state HME providers say Mississippi’s
fiscal trouble has cut into bottom lines.

“We’re seeing many more products for adults not being covered
[under Medicaid],” said Danyelle Carroll, owner of Crystal Springs,
Miss.-based Mobility Medical, and president of the Mississippi
Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers. She explained that
these patients “need equipment to stay out of the hospital,” and
added that she sees more of these patients “being re-admitted to
institutions, which is much more expensive than a wheelchair.”

According to reports, the money from the tobacco trust fund
should carry the Medicaid program through the end of Mississippi’s
fiscal year June 30.