Cigarette and alcohol taxes could become part of the discussion as Mississippi legislators look for a way to shore up the Medicaid budget.

The House voted Friday to add the so-called "sin taxes" to the list of possible ways to bring in revenue.

But the Senate is not likely to consider new taxes on cigarettes or alcohol.

Medicaid covers about a quarter of the state's population. The program has a budget shortfall of up to $100 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

Legislators are also working on a budget for the year that starts July 1. Medicaid needs an additional $250 million then.