House Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE TO TAKE WHATEVER PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY UNDER ITS COMMITTEE RULES IN ORDER TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON SENATE BILL NO. 2207, AND TO PASS THE BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE SO THAT THE FULL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE BILL.

WHEREAS, four code sections in the Mississippi Medicaid Law are subject to repealers that will take effect on July 1, 2013; and

WHEREAS, one of the code sections subject to repeal, Section 43-13-107 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, creates the Division of Medicaid in the Office of the Governor to administer the Medicaid Law; and

WHEREAS, another code section subject to repeal, Section 43-13-145, provides a substantial amount of funding for the Medicaid program from assessments on several types of health care facilities, including the assessment on hospitals that was enacted in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 2207, which would extend the date of the repealers on those code sections, has passed the Senate and is in the House Rules Committee, but the Rules Committee tabled the bill in a vote on February 14, 2013; and

WHEREAS, despite the Rules Committee's vote on the bill, Senate Bill No. 2207 is not dead under the House Rules or the Joint Rules until the deadline for Senate bills to be reported out of committee on March 5, 2013; and

WHEREAS, the Rules Committee, under its own committee rules, can either reconsider the committee's vote to table Senate Bill No. 2207, or vote to suspend the committee rules, in order to take further action on the bill; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 2207 is the only bill still alive for the Legislature to be able to deal with the repealers on those vital provisions of the Medicaid program; and

WHEREAS, it would be disastrous for the Medicaid recipients and providers if the repealers are not extended before July 1, 2013, and it is imperative that the Legislature take action on the repealers before the end of the 2013 Regular Session:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we request the House Rules Committee to take whatever procedures are necessary under its committee rules in order to take further action on Senate Bill No. 2207, and to pass the bill out of committee so that the full House of Representatives will be able to vote on the bill and prevent the impending disaster that will fall upon the recipients and providers of Medicaid if the repealers are not extended.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be provided to the House Rules Committee and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.