Which governor candidate will be the best for Mississippi’s natural resources?

[jacksbuddy]

When an indigent patient shows up at a hospital in the emergency room, by law they are not turned away and they are treated.

Since law requires treatment, does the hospital have the ability to file some claim with the federal government for reimbursement or do they write off 100% of costs incurred or treating that indigent patient?

From what I understand, the hospital has to eat all of that cost, or a very large portion of it. That is why so many of our rural hospitals are in such dire straights right now.

The way most state budgets work, the Feds will give the state money for certain issues. However, they require the state to have 'skin in the game'. That is why they require matching funds for so many services. For example, if the Feds give a state $5, they may require the state chip in $2. Then they will take credit for giving the state $7. It is screwy, but that's how it works. The Feds also base how much money they give to a state on how many citizens that money will affect. More people = more federal money.

That is also why Waller's reform plan is so smart. It provides more services to more people, and since the hospitals are paying the matching funds instead of the state of Mississippi, additional federal money is being provided for these services. The hospitals like it because they don't have to eat so much of the cost. And since the hospitals would be paying the required monies instead of the taxpayers of Mississippi to free up federal funds, it would not cost us anything. And as a taxpayer, I like that.

The big question is, will it work? I don't know. But it sure as h3!! beats what we got now.

[Wildfowler]

Can anyone explain the high level overview of how the current Medicaid program works in MS?

If hospitals currently accept it from those people and can stay afloat. What’s another “rung” of participation going to do? (Make them less profitable)

Is there something significantly different about the waller plan from what is currently being accepted from that group?

Thanks.

[jacksbuddy]

If hospitals currently accept it from those people and can stay afloat. What’s another “rung” of participation going to do?

The problem comes about when an indigent person comes in who is NOT on any kind of plan. (Like Medicaid, Medicare, or something else.) In such an instance, the hospital is simply SOL, and has to eat those costs.

[deltadukman]

I think Justice Waller is a good man, and I am a Waller fan. I may eat my words later, but he is no Tater(see what I did there)? I do think Waller is a horrible debater and lets emotions get to him rather than convey his thoughts clearly. I think he needs to be more proactive in explaining his plans and thoughts. One takeaway from last nights "debate", if you can call it that, is Tate's scare tactic of the gas tax. Tate says that Mississippians can expect a $500 increase at the pumps for the $.03 gas tax. Lets break that down. $500/$.03 is 16,666.66 gallons of gas. Lets imagine an average of 15mpg in vehicles. 16,666.66x15mpg is 250,000 miles per year(average). I think that's a little far fetched.

While you may not like Waller's plan, I don't see Tate doing anything but shouting how he has slashed taxes. Our states infrastructure SUCKS in comparison to other states. Our teacher get paid peanuts, all while we have multiple superintendents in every county, including rural ones. Our State ED Superintendent is the highest paid in the nation. Tate has been in control of the Senate for 8 years, does anyone know anything proactive he has done?

I do find it quite ironic that Chris McDaniel who has fought the establishment his whole career is now on board with Tate, Hailey Barbour, and Phil Bryant, the same people he talked against his whole existence. Remember the Kemper Coal Plant fiasco, or the Beef Plant? The guy spying on Cochran's wife? These are the people now in bed with Tate. I can tell you no one in this world is perfect, but I'm for giving someone a chance to mess up publicly, than continue on the same path with the same results. Barbour and McDaniel are against federal dollars going to state education. I'm sorry, but Mississippi would cease to exist without federal dollars. I don't like it, but it is what it is. Also, we have a lot of constituents who pay little or no taxes in this state. A non proportional amount versus the ones that do pay. Sadly, we are having to pick up the tab for them. I would love to say **** it, but I don't think we can.

[Wildfowler]

If hospitals currently accept it from those people and can stay afloat. What’s another “rung” of participation going to do?

The problem comes about when an indigent person comes in who is NOT on any kind of plan. (Like Medicaid, Medicare, or something else.) In such an instance, the hospital is simply SOL, and has to eat those costs.

I was trying to ask a separate question altogether.

I was asking about another level of Medicaid participation in the system. What is the likely effect that would have on all hospitals to begin having to except an additional layer of Medicaid patients?

Is there any concern that these hospitals might go broke as a result of a new category of Medicaid entering the system? Or would it actually give them more revenue because it may offset indigent patients coming to the ER?

I’m just trying to understand the pros and cons of this. Thank you.

[jacksbuddy]

Is there any concern that these hospitals might go broke as a result of a new category of Medicaid entering the system? Or would it actually give them more revenue because it may offset indigent patients coming to the ER?

I’m just trying to understand the pros and cons of this. Thank you.

I'm no expert on the subject and this is simply my personal opinion, but it sounds to me that it just might give the hospitals more revenue if it can offset some of the costs associated with indigent patients coming to the ER?

[Wildfowler]

I just hope it’s not one day to become some sort of gateway to the government being able to withhold funding if we don’t comply with some future liberal law?

[NyssaAquatica]

I just hope it’s not one day to become some sort of gateway to the government being able to withhold funding if we don’t comply with some future liberal law?

I don't see that happening.

Anyway, if it did, it might be fair to other states. For years, Mississippi has received more federal assistance (in $) per capita than any other state.

Essentially, our state is subsidized by states like California, New York, Texas, Illinois, etc...

[Wildfowler]

I recall not so fondly, the federal government threatening to withhold federal highway funding if Mississippi did not change the beer purchasing age requirements from 18 to 21.

I remember this because it happened just before I turned 18 so I was never able to legally purchase beer at age 18.

Anyway, I just remembered that from my youth and would hate to see us become dependent on something which might leave us no choice but to cave-in to the wishes of others Who may have different opinions than we do.

But don’t worry, my miss spent youth was still very fine!!