If congress does not extend the temporary aid provided to state Medicaid programs, Mississippi will have to come up with an additional $187 million to cover the shortfall next year.  More here.  Congress, in the face of mid term elections and a public that is fed up with the deficit spending that has placed this country into $13 trillion in debt, is hesitant to pass the additional spending extension.  Congress' new found fiscal responsibility will come at a big cost to Mississippi, which will undoubtedly have to either raise taxes, cut education spending further, or cut some of the optional Medicaid programs, such as those that pay for nursing home care for the elderly.