Medicaid Benefits for 50,000 Elderly and Disabled Mississippians Restored by Governor at Urging of Mississippi Center for Justice and Coalition of Health Policy Advocates. More than 50,000 elderly and disabled Mississippians who receive Medicaid benefits under the Poverty Level Aged and Disabled (PLAD) Medicaid category can stop worrying about losing their benefits, thanks to a lawsuit and then action by the state legislature and governor. The group, represented by the Mississippi Center for Justice, the National Senior Citizens Law Center, AARP Foundation Litigation, the National Health Law Program, and a private attorney, faced the risk of losing their Medicaid benefits last fall after the state legislature changed the eligibility criteria. The group then obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the state from eliminating the benefits. On March 31, the governor signed a bill restoring benefits for those covered under the PLAD category, and then the court dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice. The new law, advocated by the Mississippi Center for Justice and a coalition of health policy advocates, continues coverage for PLAD beneficiaries until 2006. The law also cuts benefits for all Medicaid enrollees. Martha Bergmark, executive director of the Mississippi Center for Justice, says, "We are gratified that, despite cuts to the Mississippi Medicaid program this year, including reductions in coverage for prescription drugs and home health care services, we were able to avert the draconian plan to cut off one huge category of especially vulnerable recipients. The struggle continues." Mississippi Governor, Legislature Reverse Plan to Axe Medicaid Beneficiaries, Inside CMS, Apr. 7, 2004, page reference unavailable; also based on original reporting by Brennan Center staff. See also Legal Services E-lert of Oct. 8, 2004.