Lincoln County lawmaker said he expects to be among a group ofrepresentatives on the plaintiffs’ side seeking a restraining orderto keep Gov. Haley Barbour from ending a special session.

“It shows the level of frustration that, evidently, the Househas with the moves the governor is making,” said Dist. 53 Rep.Bobby Moak.

A hearing on the restraining order was scheduled for Tuesdayafternoon in Hinds County Chancery Court. However, Barbour filed anappeal late Monday to the state Supreme Court and it was not knownwhether the lower court hearing would proceed.

“It’s a mess,” said Dist. 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett late Mondaynight.

Due to the restraining order, Barbour was unsuccessful Monday inhis attempt to send representatives home from the special sessionthat began May 19.

Representatives were to return to the Capitol Tuesday at 11 a.m.The Senate adjourned its portion of the special session Friday.

At issue is a bill to reauthorize the Department of HumanServices for another year beyond June 30.

The House has amended legislation to continue coverage fromapproximately 65,000 Medicaid recipients who are to be removed fromthe rolls. Another legal question involves whether the House hasthe authority to take up the Medicaid issue.

Most removed Medicaid recipients would be covered by the federalMedicare program. Some lawmakers say that would be inadequate.

Moak said the question for the court hearing on the restrainingorder will be whether to stay in session and attempt to resolve thepending issues and to bring the Senate back into session.

“We want them to come back and address the issues, come back andtake care of these people,” Moak said.

Barnett said he had not given any thought to joining theplaintiffs in the filing. However, he said he supported staying insession.

“I think we should do it to finish our work, not just onMedicaid, but Health and Human Services as well,” Barnett said.

On Monday, the House approved legislation to continue Medicaidcoverage. It differs from legislation approved by the Senate.

“We’re not getting any cooperation between the House andSenate,” Barnett said.

Moak said the question during the regular session was to removethe 65,000 Medicaid recipients or lose the program. About 60,000would be covered by Medicare, but federal permission to givecoverage to the remaining recipients so far has notmaterialized.

Even with the Medicare coverage, Barnett and Moak bothacknowledged it would be insufficient to meet some recipients’needs. Moak said Medicare allows for $600 a year in prescriptiondrugs, and that can be used up in the first 60 to 120 days.

“It is not going to be a good situation,” Moak said.

Moak said he has received many calls both in Bogue Chitto and atthe Capitol. Barnett also mentioned calls he is receiving.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook from people who aresupposed to be going off Medicaid,” Barnett said.

Moak said some recipients’ monthly pharmacy bills exceed theirincome. Without extension of the program, he said they will facesome difficult decisions.

“These people are going to make some hard choices whether to buygroceries or take their medicine,” Moak said.