Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Barbour and McCoy: They fight, we suffer.

Wouldn't you know it. First the Barbour administration files its proposed cuts to the Medicaid budget JUST before the close of business on Friday. No details were provided as The Clarion-Ledger reported: "Documents outlining the cuts were filed with the secretary of state's office just before 5 p.m. Friday, and neither Barbour's staff nor Medicaid officials provided details..." http://search.clarionledger.com/sp?eId=100&gcId=26368108&rNum=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clarionledger.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2008807120355&siteIdType=2

There is no doubt the Barbour administration knew exactly what it was doing when it filed these documents so that it would catch the part of the news cycle that receives the least attention from the public (and had the added bonus of depriving opponents of the cuts a chance to study them during the weekend). One would think that these cuts would be made available on the Department of Medicaid's website. They were available for a short time Monday. http://www.dom.state.ms.us/ErrorPage.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/MsStatePlan.aspx

However, after the link was posted on yallpolitics.com, the link no longer works (and hasn't since Monday) as DOM's website says there is a website problem when one tries to access the page listing the planned budget cuts. Coincidence? Only a fool would believe such to be the case.

Luckily, JJ has a copy of the planned cuts concerning therapy services provided to Medicaid patients. Click on the link and select the Medicaid document: http://groups.google.com/group/jackson-jambalaya/files?upload=1&&sort=name
This particular proposed plan will cut the money paid for therapy services by ten percent. The proposed cuts are only $300,000 out of a budget shortfall of $90.000,000.

Therapy services. Not a sexy topic. Disabled kids. Children that have problems hearing or talking. Families burdened with children and unable to work more to stay off the public dole because day care won't accept children with disabilities. Occupational therapy that can help people support themselves so they DON'T cost the taxpayers any more money. Therapy is not a cost, its an investment as it will help those who need it improve to the point where they require less help and money from their families and the state.

What the Lilliputians in the Barbour administration fail to realize is that therapy services are a question of paying now or later. Medicaid has two choices. It can pay for the patient to have therapy services early on when the chances for any improvement are the greatest and require less care in the future OR it can pay later after the patient probably has not improved and is permanently disabled. Thus, the $300,000 the Barbour administration claims it will save by cutting the money paid for such services will cost the state MUCH more in the long run as treatment is withheld.

Unfortunately, one shouldn't be too surprised at these tactics by the Governor as he appointed a Medicaid Director who was not qualified by law to run the department as well as a Deputy Director (Moody, who since retired) who was not qualified for his position under the statute as well. Unfortunately, Medicaid has been the stepchild of the Barbour administration and the legislature for quite some time. One would be remiss in letting Speaker McCoy off of the hook as he refuses to compromise with the Governor and is more interested in winning this game of chicken.

Think all Medicaid patients are lazy bums who try to sponge off of the rest of us? I personally know of one family who has two children who are sight-impaired (glaucoma). Get a job you say? Well, the father is in the damn military overseas protecting the sorry asses of these REMF's and perfumed princes on Capitol Street while his wife cares for their children and needs Medicaid for the therapy provided to her kids. Yes, she would love to get out and get a job but when you have two kids who can't see, that makes it rather hard to do so. However, the solution here is to simply cut off hard-working families like this one because two egomaniacs in state government can't get along and the other person in state government who could make a difference shows no backbone. A pox on all of their houses.

Also, health care "providers" (What a nice way to dehumanize the people who truly do care for those who need it, unlike the bureaucrats who picked this name for them.) do NOT make much profit, if any, off of Medicaid. For example, a typical visit for therapy earns the clinic a profit of less than five dollars after all expenses (and I mean real expenses, not some owner padding his salary and calling it an expense) are paid. Most "providers" accept Medicaid patients because they truly want to help those in need, not because they are trying to rip off the state.

What these cuts will do is merely force more "providers" to simply stop accepting Medicaid patients as they decide it is not worth the hassle or expense. It won't be the Republicans, the Democrats, or to some degree, even the "providers" who will suffer, it will be thousands of Mississippians who suddenly have no access to health care due to the food fight of the REMF's.

Earlier posts on Medicaid:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-medicaid-malarkey.html
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/06/more-medicaid-malarky.html

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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