Mississippi Medicaid Program Asks State Lawmakers for Additional Funds Next Year

Mississippi's Medicaid program has sought an additional $446 million in next year's budget -- the "largest increase sought by any state agency," the AP/Biloxi Sun Herald reports. State Division of Medicaid Director Rica Lewis-Payton told members of the state Joint Legislative Budget Committee that lawmakers should budget additional state funds to "take full advantage" of federal matching funds. The federal government provides $4 for each dollar that the state allocates for the program, she said. During the hearing, state lawmakers "peppered Payton with questions" about a $124.6 million deficit in the state Medicaid program this year. According to Lewis-Payton, state Medicaid enrollment has increased, while the federal match rate has decreased. She also said that state lawmakers required Medicaid to provide additional services "but didn't set aside money to pay for them" (Wagster, AP/Biloxi Sun Herald, 9/28).