Friday, March 27, 2015

Insurance chairman lets the $30 million MHA cat out of the bag.

On the Gallo Radio Show this week, State Representative Gary Chism said  the legislature is considering giving $30 million in tax breaks to a proposed managed care plan that would be operated by the Mississippi Hospital Association.  Representative Chism is Chairman of the Insurance Committee.  JJ reported last week:


Senate Bill #2441. One of the biggest stories taking place in the current session of the Mississippi Legislature. A true case of insider baseball.  It's discussed by the legislators, lobbyists, consultants, and even the bureaucrats, but completely unnoticed by the media. The older reporters probably think it's a song by Chicago.  The story of SB #2441 is The Mississippi Hospital Association and other groups are making a determined push to get this bill passed, as they seek to enter the HMO business and grab more Medicaid business, as well with some friendly re-writing of Mississippi health insurance laws.   The bill passed both the House and Senate but with some differences.

MHA is pushing two Senate bills, #2441 and #2588. The bills are currently in conference. The $30 million assistance is not mentioned in any language currently online, but is pushed by MHA. Mr.  Chism said in the interview the $30 million will be distributed as $10 million a year for three years.

He said:

*MHA said it will cost nearly $100 million a year to establish its managed care plan. However, He said MHA would still have to meet the same requirements as regular HMO's. It appears Mr. Chism did not read SB #2441 as it specifically and clearly states that the Mississippi statutes governing HMO's will not apply to MHA's little creature. The bill states that the Commissioner of Insurance will write a special set of rules just for the MHA plan. The Senate bill even removes the net worth requirement for MHA and merely says the Commissioner shall determine the capital requirements for the new HMO.

*The $30 million "tax credit" is in #2588. Mr. Chism claimed he did not know about the tax credit until Representative Steve Holland and mentioned it in the floor debate as he offered an amendment to strip it. He said that bill was a Medicaid bill and went through another committee, hence his ignorance about the tax credit. The discussion on the $30 million starts at 5:50.

*Mr. Chism says MHA "will be able to compete" with the private Medicaid managed care providers. Um, they can't compete now? They need $30 million to compete? He then says the money will stay in-state, in other words, the local argument. Its all local so its all good. Got it.

*There are similar plans in other states? Plans that get $30 million from the state and special rules?

 Listen for yourself. The stream buffered a few times so just bear with the couple of dead spots. There is a long break that starts at 8:00 and ends around 14:30.


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

*Chism serves in the House of Representatives

Anonymous said...

Chism is not a Senator. He is chairman of the House Insurance Committee.

Anonymous said...

If the MHA plan is "nonprofit" as Mr. Moore contents, then why do they need tax credits? Let me go ahead and answer that. In reality, the $30 million is not a "tax credit". It is an actual line item appropriation from the state of Mississippi, in other words, Us as taxpayers, directly to Mr. Moore's Hospital Association. That legislation would be unprecedented.

Anonymous said...

I doubt most people would be comfortable with any type of insurance where the entity only has a net worth of $1 million or less. That looks like a recipe for disaster.

Anonymous said...

This is an abomination. Listen to the interview: Chism can't defend it, he knows he can't defend it, and he even finds it funny that he can't defend it.

Anonymous said...

So, either our legislators think we are stupid or they are stupid or we are indeed stupid for electing them.

Which is it?

Anonymous said...

Oh they think we're stupid - there's no doubt about that.
Their very jobs depend on our perceived stupidity. Apparently IHL is more important than MHA.
'Cuz- liberals!

Anonymous said...

Most of Lowndes County knows that Chism is far from bright, maybe not "stupid", but a dullard for certain.

Anonymous said...

I think Chism reflects the intellectual norm of our legislature - maybe even a bit higher than average for that distinguished group.

Anonymous said...

Mini-Obamacare!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I still don't understand why our hospitals would settle for millions when billions are available through the ACA. Totally illogical to me.

Anonymous said...

@2:37
They don't want to be held accountable in their clandestine operations of 'healthcare'. Heaven forbid that happen.






Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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
.