Budget Battle Goes Down To The Wire

Under the hot lights of scrutiny, there was a heated debate late Tuesday night on the state House floor over Medicaid.
Among those watching the last minute budget battle from the gallery, Meridian nurse Cindy Massey.
She says 80 percent of the patients treated at her hospital depend on Medicaid.
“We have always taken care of our patients and will continue to that the best we can,” she says.
But without Medicaid funding, Massey says, ”There may be certain services that may have to be cutback.”
To express his displeasure with the compromise, Representative George Flaggs from Vicksburg asked to have to entire 82 page bill read aloud to the House.
A process that delayed the final vote two hours.
Laurel hospital chief Doug Higginbotham says his patients can’t wait any longer on Medicaid funding.
“Biggest issue for us for the nursing homes we have two and 90 percent of the funding comes from Medicaid so we’d have to make adjustments.
Massey has remained optimistic throughout the debate.
“The main thing is to see that Medicaid stays on its feet so we can continue to take care of our patients on a day to day basis.,” she says.