MEDICAID FUNDING UNCERTAIN 6-22-08

AFTER A THREE WEEK BREAK, STATE LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO THE CAPITOL THURSDAY TO HASH OUT A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR MEDICAID. NO SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN REACHED ON WHERE TO GET 90 MILLION DOLLARS TO FUND THE STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM.  GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR WANTS A HOSPITAL TAX TO PAY FOR THE DEFICIT. ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT A CIGARETTE TAX TO MAKE UP THE SHORTFALLS.  THE GOVERNOR WARNED THAT HE WILL HAVE TO MAKE CUTS TO MEDICAID SERVICES STARTING JULY 1ST IF THE HOUSE DOES NOT ABANDON COMPLETELY THE IDEA OF A TOBACCO TAX. TOBACCO TAX IS NOT ON THE SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA. STILL HOUSE LEADERS HOPE TO FORCE BARBOUR'S HAND ON TOBACCO TAX IN THE SPECIAL SESSION BY BLOCKING HIS MEDICAID BILL. THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED CUTS TO MEDICAID WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THE DELTA, ONE OF THE POOREST REGIONS.