Friday, April 26, 2024

Senate Offers Medicaid Compromise

 Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

Senate Medicaid Chairman Kevin Blackwell delivered two conference reports to the House on healthcare reform signed by all three Senate conferees: one with the original Senate plan and the other with a compromise proposal.

 

“The House asked the Senate to come to the table with a plan which included Mississippians up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level to pull down the 90 percent match from the federal government. The hybrid plan we submitted to the House does just that—or we offer the original Senate version for consideration,” Blackwell said. 

 

The two proposals including the following:

 

  • The original Senate proposal requires the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to apply for a waiver to cover people making up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level (less than $31,200 for a family of four). The plan would not move the 140,000 people between 100-138 percent of the federal poverty level who are currently on commercial plans on the federal health insurance exchange to Medicaid plans—and the state would receive no federal match money for this population. The waiver, if approved by CMS, would allow the state to draw down 77 percent in federal match money and would primarily be paid for through an assessment on managed care organizations.

 

  • The new Senate compromise proposal requires the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to apply for a waiver to cover people making less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level to be covered by a managed care organization. Medicaid would also cover people between 100-138 percent of the federal poverty level through the federal health insurance exchange (138 percent of the federal poverty level is less than $43,056 for a family of four). The waiver, if approved by CMS, would allow the state to draw down 90 percent in federal match money, but would also require the state to pay 10 percent of the cost of coverage/the commercial plans through 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The program would be largely paid for through an assessment on managed care organizations and an increased insurance premium tax on exchange plans provided to the eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.

 

Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and Blackwell have said a work requirement is a non-negotiable element for either plan, though the compromise proposal does have language directing the Attorney General to appeal to federal court if CMS denies the waiver.

 

The original Senate proposal passed the chamber 36-16. 

 

“We are hopeful a compromise is on the horizon. When people are healthy, they are working, raising their families, and contributing to their communities,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said.  “Access to healthcare is a critical component of economic and workforce development efforts in Mississippi—and reforming healthcare is the right thing to do.”

 

In recent years, the Mississippi Senate has led on expanding coverage for low-income working Mississippians. 

 

During the 2021 and 2022 Legislative Sessions, Senator Blackwell and Senator Nicole Boyd, current Vice Chair of Medicaid, pushed legislation to extend postpartum care from 60 days to one year, but the House did not take up the bills. In 2023, the House relented, sending the Senate legislation which passed overwhelmingly. 

 

This Session, Senator Blackwell sponsored legislation to authorize presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage to pregnant women, which allows them to immediately begin receiving healthcare rather than waiting long periods of time to enroll in the program. The Senate agreed to take a House bill, which has since become law. 

 

The Senate is also proposing updates to the “Medicaid tech” bill—Senate Bill 2823—which would make it easier for children who are severely disabled to receive Medicaid coverage; increase reimbursement rates for certain providers and services, which helps increase access for patients; include new areas of coverage, like glucose monitoring; and preserving the changes made last year to the hospital tax, which allows for additional revenue for hospitals. 

 

“At the beginning of the Session, the House said they would bring up the Senate bill, so we are looking forward to seeing this legislation finalized,” Blackwell said.

 

For more information about Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, visit www.ltgovhosemann.ms.gov.

 


8 comments:

Hookah said...

The politicians need the work requirement.

The irony is these dinosaurs are really close to spending there final hours in one of these crappy hospitals they've helped destroy.

Anonymous said...

Remember that FULL EXPANSION (not the watered down version the Senate is offering) means up to $1 BILLION OF OUR OWN FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS (and probably lots from places like CT and NY) coming back to Mississippi to pay doctors and hospitals. Medicaid expansion DOES NOT mean free cash to welfare queens. Also, Payment to doctors and hospitals should not depend on whether a patient is working or not. Plus, CMS won’t approve it anyway. Let your senators know you support FULL expansion or else all they’re doing is throwing away our tax dollars and sending them to some other state.

Anonymous said...

12:04
I get your point but Mississippi would net an extra 700 million if they fully expand and I’m at the point that the feds will piss it off and Send to Ukraine, might as well take it .

Anonymous said...

Welcome to socialism.

Anonymous said...

Work requirement is a must.
And its not "free money". Good grief, this is an old argument, look at the states who have taken a bite from this apple.

Anonymous said...

So much misinformation in this thread. We will not receive “our own tax dollars”. We already take in more federal money than we send in annually. We are too dependent on the feds already. If we are gonna give it away, give it to people making an effort to help themselves. WORK REQUIREMENT!!

Anonymous said...

I can’t believe that Mississippi republicans want to expand welfare programs. Republicans seem to love free stuff as much as democrats.

Anonymous said...

Work requirement is a political stunt. Ask Georgia. Supremacy Clause wins the day.


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
.