Lawmakers Discuss Bill Requiring Medicaid Audits

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Lawmakers are considering a bill requiring audits of Medicaid recipients and tightening restrictions on other government aid.

A joint House-Senate committee filed the latest version of House Bill 1116 Monday. It would have an outside company build an electronic records system for Medicaid. Officials would periodically verify recipients’ financial information and residency to determine whether they’re still eligible for aid.

A discrepancy would result in someone losing aid indefinitely if that person doesn’t respond to auditors in writing within 10 days.

The bill also says Mississippi’s food stamp and welfare programs can’t be any more generous than required by federal law.

Officials wouldn’t be allowed to seek a waiver of work requirements for the programs. Recipients who don’t meet requirements would lose aid and their household would be temporarily disqualified.