Posted on 06/13/2004 6:46:05 PM PDT by WKB
JACKSON, Miss. - In 1999, when the economy was robust and Mississippi's budget was flush, lawmakers voted to expand the state Medicaid program.
Instead of allowing coverage only for people with incomes up to 100 percent of the poverty level, legislators stretched the upper limit to include people with incomes up to 135 percent.
It was, lawmakers said, the right thing to do in one of the poorest and unhealthiest states in the nation.
Now, with a sluggish economy and an ever-tightening state budget, Mississippi is cutting Medicaid eligibility back to 100 percent of poverty level, amid protests from some lawmakers who say the changes are cruel and heartless.
Using current federal poverty guidelines, that means the income cutoff is $9,310 for one person at 100 percent of poverty level instead of $12,569 for one person at 135 percent.
Dr. Warren Jones, executive director of Mississippi Medicaid since January, acknowledged the changes will be difficult for many people but said they're necessary to keep the program financially solvent.
"When we used to have a $150 million surplus in the Medicaid program, we could say we want to expand that population, give them additional services," Jones, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, said in an interview with The Associated Press last week.
"Now we're running a $200 million per year deficit. So we've got to find a way to really continue to provide those essential services and still make this program available," Jones said.
The changes are set to take effect July 1, and 65,000 Medicaid recipients have been sent letters saying they're being removed from the program. Medicaid is paid by state and federal dollars and provides coverage for the needy, aged, blind and disabled and for low-income families with children.
About 60,000 of those people will be covered by Medicare, which is paid completely by federal funds, but there are widespread concerns that the Medicare prescription coverage will leave some with burdensome out-of-pocket expenses.
Barbour says he's seeking federal waivers to let Medicaid keep covering the other 5,000 people. But the state won't know until after July 1 whether the waivers are approved. That's the first day of the state budget year.
Barbour also is asking federal permission to guarantee continued Medicaid coverage for four groups of patients: those who have undergone organ transplants, those with end-stage kidney disease who need dialysis, cancer patients who are taking chemotherapy or radiation and people on anti-psychotic drugs.
The bill passed by lawmakers and signed by Barbour specifies the need to continue coverage for transplant, dialysis and cancer patients. Jones said Medicaid officials made an administrative decision to continue coverage for those on anti-psychotic drugs.
Kathy Snyder of Leakesville received one of the cutoff letters and told lawmakers last week she doesn't know how she'll manage. After working at discount and grocery stores all her adult life, she says she has undergone back surgery and two hip replacements and has had heart problems.
She takes 13 prescriptions, seven of which are paid by Medicaid and six paid by her children.
"Are we all supposed to walk to the highest cliff in Mississippi and jump off?" a tearful Snyder asked during a meeting of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee.
Legislators approved the Medicaid changes during the final days of their regular session last month, but some now say they regret doing so.
Most House members say they want Barbour to give them a chance to keep those 65,000 people on Medicaid - but it's looking unlikely that Barbour will back off the moneysaving measure.
"I am not sure exactly how it happened, but I apparently have a new physician," Kathy Jean Brown of Tupelo, who's losing Medicaid coverage, told lawmakers at the Capitol last week.
"Without actually accessing the medical records which chronicle the schizo affective disorder I have, Haley says that if I cannot afford to pay for the necessary medications and office visits on my own, even though it is the only way I am functionally 'normal,' then the state of Mississippi will not help me, either," Brown read from a letter she had written.
Rep. Mark Formby, R-Picayune, says he voted against expanding Medicaid five years ago. But like many in Barbour's own party, Formby now wants to keep benefits for everyone who's been on the program.
Formby said he "took a lot of abuse" over voting against expansion of Medicaid in the late 1990s.
"Certain things are predictable," he said. "If you spend more money than you have, you're going to get in trouble."
However, Formby said he believes it's wrong to take away benefits people have come to rely on.
"It's cruel," he said. "It's giving a kid a new BB gun for Christmas and then the next day taking it away."
The only people being cut off are the ones who actually worked and paid their taxes for years. The others will continue to be covered even if above poverty level.
I reckon you're right.
LOL. Haven't seen hide nor hair of that snake since Thursday. But every time I have to take the dogs outside, I sincerely pray, "Lord, please don't let there be any snakes out there." I'm trying the mothball solution that kcvl suggested, and I'm going to try the sulfur, also, as soon as I can get to the co-op tomorrow.
Don't leave out Noxubee; it's right in there with them.
Yes, what's your point? My point is very valid.
A huge percentage of Black people also vote for democrats.
Maryland....that explains it.
(just kidding)
LOL. Sharp as a tack this morning, aren't ya?
Having black snakes around also discourages the less desirable snakes. So, if it's a black snake you have, you might consider getting used to him. Mostly I've found that I dislike the "surprise" more than I dislike the snake.
I remember moccasins from Texas, though. Nasty snake.
"poorest and unhealthiest states. The author of the article said that. Is she wrong?"
I would say she is in my view, but I have no real problem with people thinking that as they will stay away longer.
The writer is paraphrasing something she offhandly claims the lawamkers said, so I guess we really don't know what they said in fact.
Mississippi has this reputation because of several factors. It was a rich state before the Civil War but was raped badly by the carpet baggers from the North after the war primarily due to its strong Confederate stance during the war.
Money left and, the big key, was not replaced......
States that have vast sums of money circulating within its borders are rich states and get richer. To achieve that condition, money must enter that state from elsewhere, be drawn into the borders. Texas had oil and California had gold. Make no mistake...... had this two acccidental conditions not existed we would be looking at California and Texas much differently today.......and they would be much, much poorer.
Mississippi had a plethora of ex-slaves and no money and no way for many generations to achieve critical mass monetarily. The poorness and health issues are skewed by the black population of the state and are concentrated in the northwest part of the state, the delta.
Things are changing however, Timber, catfish and gambling
in particular are bringing in money that will in time achieve critical mass. and not too much time either I think.
"what's your point"
No point, just context.
The answer is RATS.
LOL! The State of Mississippi is a person?
A) I didn't call you anything.
B)The author of the article did.
C) Get a grip.
LOL! The State of Mississippi is a person?
A) I didn't call you anything.
B)The author of the article did.
Sir the word armpit is not found in the article!!!
It is found only in your reply.
You are not so ignorant to know that I was talking about
the people of the state of Mississippi.
I'm glad you and your homo buddies are in CA please stay there.
I was summarizing.
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