Mississippi Senate leaders have expressed willingness to expand Medicaid to the full level allowed under a federal law signed by Barack Obama. However, they are also pushing for a work requirement for recipients as part of negotiations with House Republicans. Expansion of Medicaid could help tens of thousands of people in one of the poorest states in the U.S. manage chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes. Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann emphasized the importance of keeping people healthy so they can contribute to their communities and families.
Mississippi is one of the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The issue is gaining attention in the state Capitol this year due to the new House speaker, Jason White, making it a priority. Governor Tate Reeves has historically opposed expanding government programs, but the House and Senate are working towards a compromise. In late February, the House voted to expand Medicaid to about 200,000 people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. The Senate later passed a pared-down version that would cover people earning up to 100% of the poverty level.
House Medicaid Committee Chairwoman Missy McGee has proposed a compromise that would allow Mississippi to receive full federal funding for Medicaid expansion. Under this plan, people earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level would be covered by Medicaid, while those earning between 100% and 138% would receive subsidies to buy insurance through a federal exchange. The Senate’s proposal is similar but includes a strong stance on maintaining a work requirement. It states that if the federal government rejects a work requirement, the Mississippi attorney general must challenge that decision, and expansion would not proceed without the work requirement in place.
The Medicaid expansion debate in Mississippi is significant as it involves providing healthcare to a large number of low-income individuals who currently do not have access to affordable insurance. Republican leaders like Hosemann are emphasizing the importance of keeping people healthy and enabling them to contribute to their communities. The compromise being discussed between the House and Senate would allow for a broader expansion of Medicaid while incorporating a work requirement, in line with recent developments in other states like Georgia. The final outcome of the negotiations will determine the future of healthcare coverage for thousands of Mississippi residents.
