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LETTER: Medicaid cuts are Barbour's decision  

In the long road to Medicaid cuts, Gov. Barbour has had countless opportunities to take a detour. During the regular session, the House of Representatives passed a cigarette tax increase that would have more than funded the current deficit. During the special session, the House offered to meet the governor half way and fund Medicaid partially through a cigarette tax increase and partially through the governor's hospital tax increase. . . .

During this time of economic uncertainty, it is not fiscally responsible to increase the burden on Mississippi's healthcare providers or the sick people who rely on their services. It would be even less prudent to carve up the healthcare program that serves our most vulnerable citizens.

Make no mistake, if the governor makes good on his promise to cut Medicaid, it will be his decision and his decision alone. Unfortunately, we will all have to pay for it.

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