Mississippi Governor Threatens To Continue Medicaid Without Legislative Approval

Le welfare state, c'est moi

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he thinks he can run Medicaid even if lawmakers don't reauthorize the program or set its budget by the time the state's new fiscal year starts July 1.

"As head of the Governor's Division of Medicaid, I will do all I can to continue and to provide Medicaid to the citizens who qualify in the state of Mississippi," Bryant said Wednesday. "That is my legal argument. If someone wants to challenge me in court, what is their argument?"

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported Bryant's remarks and said he spoke about Medicaid after taking part in a tourism event at the state Capitol.